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FRIDAY,

JULY 11, 2014

VOLUME 108, No.28

www.thevincentian.com

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ROYALTY : VINCY MAS 2014 Queen of the Bands, ’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ - Jennilee Glasgow – from SVG Players International’s ‘Beyond the Rainbow (Photo: Oris Robinson)

King of the Bands, ‘The Grinch who stole Christmas’ – Gordon ‘Tarya’ Boucher – from Melborne Artisans’ Compliments of the Seasons. (Photo: Oris Robinson)

Band of the Year – Blondie Bird and Friends ‘HEAT’ featuring ‘Blue Flame.

(Photo: Oris Robinson) Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper – Ragga Soca, Power Soca and Road March Monarch. .

Section of the Year – ‘Pot of Gold’ from SVG Players International’s ‘Beyond the rainbow (Photo: Oris Robinson)

Francine Baron (Dominica) Miss Carival 2014

Zamfir ‘Man Zangie’ Adams – Calypso Monarch

Panorama Champions - Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra

2. FRIDAY, JULY 11 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V News 3 ‘Man Zangie’ breaks through

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 3.

performance in the first round with ‘Calypso Hard to write’. She may have fallen out of the top three with her second offering, ‘Every Mother’s Child’.

Former monarchs, Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne, Grantley ‘I Pa’ Constance, Elvis ‘Abijah’ Abbey and Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd-Reid, also had to settle for positions outside of the top order.

‘Scakes’s’ ‘More Flood’ set the pace and high standard for the night, but he may have faltered thereafter, with his ‘Short Change’. ‘I Pa’ did ‘Old Age’ and ‘Pledge of Faith’; Abijah — ‘Invisible Man’ and ‘Poor People Suffering’; and ‘Fya Empress’ — ‘Don’t Blame the youths’ and ‘Home’.

Other finalists were: Vivian ‘I Come’ Miller Veteran ‘Patches’, in second ‘Skarpyon’ defended and doing the ‘Awakening’ and place, called for the bell to defended well, but couldn’t the popular ‘Body parts’; be rung, and almost beat his outdo the passion of those Calypso Monarch ‘Man Zangie’ and Dennis Bowman, new fellow contestants to the who fell just ahead of him. has had a relatively short career Song winner in New York, classroom. in calypso leading up to his first who did ‘Build Airport’ time victory.

Zangie’ Adams performed calypso of the season, ‘Ring and ‘Not giving up’.

‘Act before it’s too late’ and the Bell’.

by KENVILLE HORNE ‘The victims cry’ with such Defending monarch, ‘Man Zangie’ - Not an easy passion and emotion, that Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams, Road CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY many had him amongst the not to be disgraced, held the propelled a young police officer top three in the title race, even third position, to remain Man Zangie launched his to the title of 2014 Calypso before the results were among top echelons of the calypso career in the Junior Monarch in SVG, and in the announced.

Calypso Monarch competition. Calypso arena. He has process, he became one of the He breasted the finish line He did ‘The Blight’ and ‘Rising remained in the genre but has youngest persons to ever hold tape ahead of second placed Higher’. also sung “all genres on the the title.

Robert ‘Patches’ Knights, who Shaunelle McKenzie was whole.”

Twenty-four-year-old did ‘Build Again’ and the among the other finalists and This year is his second time Barrouallie born Zamfir ‘Man irrefutably most popular gave a threatening in the national calypso

Fireman gets his first Road March DELROY ‘FIREMAN’ HOOPER once told THE VINCENTIAN, that his intention was to win every major calypso/soca competition organized as part of Vincy Mas. At that point in time, he had already won the Ragga Soca, Power Soca, and ever since, there has been anxiety as his thousands of fans await his entry into the Calypso monarch arena.

That said, there was a fourth competition that had deluded him up until 2014.

Fireman will add, come awards day for Vincy Mas 2014, a trophy for Road March supremacy.

And in claiming the Road March for 2014, he achieved another first by claiming first position, with his ‘Unruly’, and second place, with ‘Rum Meeting’ in the race for that title.

He now joins the ranks of winners of a competition that dates back to 1971 when the Road March was restricted to Vincentian artistes only. Of course, the Caribbean Hawke was the first such winner with ‘Sweeter than this’.

Whether Fireman would stay the course to equal or surpass leading road march winners is a question only he and time can answer. If he does decide to stay the course,

he will have to unseat ‘Becket’ as this country’s ‘winniest’ Road March winner, with eight such victories.

Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper however, becomes the first calypso/soca artiste to have won three titles in the same year. That could well be hard to beat.

Who knows, maybe he will equal it and add the title of Calypso Monarch just to keep the record books busy.

‘Fireman’ worked his songs during the Monday Afternoon Jam and took an early lead in the Road March race going into Carnival Tuesday.

monarch finals, the first being in 2012.

His songs this year were written by Trinidadian Nigel Nelson, but when he spoke to media personnel after his crowning, he pointed to local calypsonian/writer Winston ‘Chief’ Davis as having being instrumental in nurturing him during his formative years in calypso singing.

When he decided to look elsewhere for material, he said that “’Chief had no problem with my idea,” and confirmed that, “One of the first persons to appear on stage,” when he was announced winner, “was ‘Chief’.”

It has not been an easy road for the young man. He admitted being turned down by persons as he sought their assistance to make it on the big stage.

“I got turned down. I was barked at. I was thrown out of a (calypso) tent. People discarded me. I don’t want to pull down certain things but it is a fact,” intimated the new calypso monarch.

And as far as what inspired his two songs this year, he said ‘Act before it’s too late’ had something to do with his observation that, “Youths are going astray and we need to pull them back.”

It also followed on information received from a friend in England about how that country was dealing with measures to encourage positive behavior by their youth.

As for the second song, his inspiration came from his job as a Police Officer, which brings him head on with the cries of the young people, “the women especially.

“We are seeing a lot of rape cases, murder cases, and I look on the internet and see that we are number one in terms of rape cases in the Caribbean, and number three in the world,” said the police constable cum calypso monarch.

“I am here tonight to open the ears of the government, and everybody else to look into it,” he added There was a certain air of satisfaction about the young man. His life somehow seemed to have taken on an upward trajectory with his accomplishment, or so his musing indicated.

He will continue as a cast member of the Upstage Calypso Tent and hope that there are more titles in the future.

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4. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Station bail for ganja charges The Commissioner, however, explained that bail IT IS NOW A POLICY of the Royal would not be granted across St. Vincent and the Grenadines the board, as the Police Force (RSVGPF) that circumstances would have to persons charged with be taken into account. He possession of 15 grams of noted for example, that if marijuana and under, could be someone assaults the police or granted station bail. behaves in an aggressive Commissioner of Police manner, while being arrested Michael Charles made the or while in police custody, confirmation to THE station bail would not be VINCENTIAN on Wednesday. granted.

He disclosed that the decision Before last Friday’s decision was taken at a meeting of the by the gazetted officers, gazetted officers last Friday, persons in custody on July 4. marijuana possession charges, The top cop said that regardless of the amount, were persons charged with not granted bail until they possession of 15 grams of were taken to court. marijuana and under could be THE VINCENTIAN granted station bail in the understands while there may sum of $2,000, with one have been one or two cases in surety. which station bail was

by HAYDN HUGGINS

granted, it was not the policy of the RSVGPF to do so.

The gazetted officers had met to discuss the issue, based on a letter the Commissioner received from attorney Grant Connell.

In the letter dated June 13, 2014, Connell requested that the issue of granting station bail to persons charged with marijuana possession, be revisited.

Connell had told THE VINCENTIAN then, that persons charged with assault causing bodily harm,which is a much more serious offence, were granted bail, following which they go back into the same environment with the virtual complainant.

Up to press time Wednesday, Connell was not

Attorney Grant Connell may have caused a response from the Police High command on the question of station bail. informed of the recent decision. He was likely to receive a letter from the Commissioner by yesterday (Thursday).

Commissioner of Police Michael Charles, announced a change in the policy regarding station bail for persons charged with possession of small amounts of ganja.

The gazetted officers comprise the Commissioners, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Coast Guard Lieutenants, Lieutenant Commander and Commander.

Ganja issue highlighted in court again the political platform locally, regionally and internationally.

DEFENCE LAWYER ISRAEL Bruce was speaking to THE Bruce is of the view that there VINCENTIAN on Wednesday has to be some synthesis as to after his clients, Wilfred what happens in a court of Roache and Peter Balgar, both law, and what is expounded on of Trinidad and Tobago,

by HAYDN HUGGINS

received heavy sentences at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for possession of very small quantities of marijuana.

Despite a passionate mitigation plea, Roache, 60, was fined $800 forthwith or two months in prison for possession of 45 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.

Balgar, 58, was ordered to pay the court $200 forthwith or two weeks behind bars for having six grams.

Magistrate Zoila EllisBrowne handed down the penalties.

Bruce stressed that locally and regionally, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has been leading the discussions on the marijuana issue, and the Jamaica government has given approval for certain amendments to be made to that country’s ‘Dangerous Drugs Act’, so

that persons in possession of two ounces of marijuana and under will no longer be subject to a criminal conviction. He also noted that a number of states in the United Defence lawyer Israel PM Dr. Ralph States have Bruce could not Gonsalves amended their convince Magistrate opened regional Zoila Ellis-Browne to laws to discussions on be lenient in her accommodate the marijuana marijuana for sentencing of his medicinal and issue. clients. recreational purposes. there is a clear set of In handing down the guidelines in the Prosecutor’s penalties, Ellis-Browne told Code and that the full code’s Bruce that until the laws are test, which includes the changed, her stance in regard evidential test and the public to sentencing for such offences interest test, must be applied. would remain the same.

He noted that if his clients But the lawyer told THE had pleaded not guilty, the VINCENTIAN that the court drugs would have had to be must take into account the scientifically tested, which facts and circumstances of the would have been very costly as case in applying the law, and compared to what the court sentence according to those would have imposed as a fine. facts and circumstances.

The Trinidadians were in The facts presented in court St. Vincent and the revealed that on July 3, both Grenadines for the Carnival men were assisting the celebrations. officerswith investigations into A number of other persons a number of allegations who appeared at the related to pickpocketing. The Kingstown Magistrate’s Court defendants took the officers to on Wednesday charged with where they were staying at possession of very small Kingstown Park. A search amounts of marijuana received warrant was executed and the tough penalties. drugs were found in the house.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus In mitigation, Bruce noted Delpleche had told THE that his clients had the drug VINENTIAN during an within the confines of their interview some months ago, home, they were CARICOM that the police could exercise nationals and had thrown better judgment in respect to themselves at the mercy of the persons having small portions court. of marijuana.

Bruce highlighted that

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 5.

Regional

St. Lucia R.C. priest withdrawn from duties

make reference to the nature of this “inappropriate behaviour,” reliable reports from St. Lucia say that the priest had had a relationship with a male parishioner.

The release said in part: “…. The Archdiocese Archbishop considers this Robert Rivas has inappropriate promised that his behaviour, Church will not incompatible with cover up any the priesthood, a indiscretions by serious matter, its clergy. and has taken the decision to THE OFFICE OF withdraw the THE Roman priest from Pope Francis has Catholic pastoral ministry Archbishop of St. urged all Roman with immediate Catholic dioceses Lucia confirmed effect. The priest last Monday that it around the world to has been put on face up to the wronghad withdrawn a administrative doing of their clergy. priest from the leave, and during ministry, “with this time will receive spiritual immediate effect.”

According to a release in the and counselling support. The accuser has also been offered name of The Most Reverend Archbishop Robert Rivas D.D., counselling support.”

In what appeared to be the priest, no name given, had reference to the recent strong been withdrawn after action encouraged

by Pope “allegations of inappropriate Francis against acts of behaviour, incompatible with the priesthood,” were levelled ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by clergy, the statement from the against the priest.

Archbishop’s office assured While the release did not

that it is corrected.”

Archbishop Rivas also affirmed that the Roman Catholic Church would not cover up for indiscretions by priests. “We have to be open and transparent,” he said.

One practising Roman Catholic with whom THE VINCENTIAN spoke,

described the allegations as “unfortunate,” but was pleased, “‘that the church had moved swiftly to take action.

It is bad that we have had this type of behaviour by one of our priests, but it would have been worse had our Archbishop concealed the matter.”

Outgoing US Ambassador reprimanded

BRENT HARDT, outgoing US Ambassador to Guyana, has received a strong reprimand from Guyana’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Priya Manickchand.

The Ambassador was told in no uncertain terms, that his attack on the President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, will not be tolerated, and that he had “gone beyond the boundaries off professionalism and diplomacy.”

Minister Manickchand issued the stern rebuke while addressing a ceremony to mark the 238th anniversary of the United States of America, July 4.

She made it clear that for a professional foreign service officer, with appointment of ambassador, to make such declarations, accusations, allegations and innuendos about the executive president of Guyana or of any country for that matter, is to her mind totally unacceptable.

The minister declared that Ambassador Hardt had been reported to Parliament in 2001.

“Jamaica should not participate in associated with a dedicated any commission in CARICOM to look attack on the President and at ganja. We know what our position Government of Guyana, and accused him of taking is already. Jamaica must establish “liberties…..with diplomatic itself as a leader in this field...You conventions, commitment to cannot be a part of a CARICOM accuracy and sense of occasion.”

Commission, and you’re taking And the lady minister did not unilateral decisions. Withdraw from the commission and proceed according to the understanding that we, as Jamaicans, have to GASTON BROWNE, of the incorrect implement the recently elected report)s) carried on a Chevannes report,” Antigua and Barbuda’s radio station, and that Tavares said. youngest prime it wanted “to place on minister, may just record that this have a message for his assertion is incorrect fellow CARICOM and can only be viewed heads. as an effort to mislead Contrary to what the public.” had been reported in The statement said the Antigua media, that, in fact, the Prime Prime Minister Minister had already Browne has no issued instructions to intention of replacing his Permanent or adding to the fleet Secretary that it was of vehicles, six in not his desire to have a number, assigned to number of the vehicles Senator Tom the Prime Minister. which were found to be Tavares-Finson Responding to defective, replaced. didn’t mince words media reports that Reports are that on about purported the assuming office, the recommending that contrary, a statement Antigua and Barbuda Jamaica should have from the Office of the Labour Party nothing to do with Permanent Secretary conducted the usual within the Office of the check on the vehicles.

CARICOM’s’ Prime Minister said it A number of those commission on had been made aware vehicles were found to ganja.

ÂJamaica should ignore ganja commissionÊ “JAMAICA SHOULD not participate in any commission in CARICOM to look at ganja.”

This is the view of Tom TavaresFinson, Leader of Oppostion Business in the Senate of the Parliament of Jamaica.

Senator Tavres-Finason made the statement while making his contribution to the Senate’s debate on the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Bill, which aims to amend the rehabilitation requirements for Jamaicans convicted of minor use of ganja, to have their conviction expunged from the criminal records.

The Senator proffered that Jamaica should ignore the proposed Caricom Ganja Commission, and proceed on the basis of its own twodecade-old ganja commission report.

“We don’t need to be a part of any Caricom Commission to discuss ganja. We know what our position is,” Senator Tavares-Finson said .

Observers say that Senator Tavares-Finson was responding to a report from the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Antigua & Barbuda on Thursday, that the Community leaders had agreed to establish a Commission to further debate the decriminalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Aas far as that was concerned, the Senator contended that Jamaica had already done that work under the Chevannes Commission, which

that, “This is an ongoing process, so whenever a situation develops, once it’s brought to the attention of the authorities, the matter will be properly investigated and once, it is proved that something is wrong, that there has been bad behaviour or an injustice, we have to ensure

Priya Manickchand, US Ambassador Brent Guyana’ s acting Minister of Foreign Hardt has citing Affair, accused the Guyana’s failure to hold local elections as outgoing US retarding the process ambassador of of transformation in steeping beyond that country. the boundaries of diplomatic stop there. She pointed conventions. the finger at the outgoing ambassador as overseeing an office that, since his assumption of duties, had contributed to a tension filled relationship with the government of Guyana.

“These areas of tense relationships”, the minister said, “have attracted considerable efforts on the government’s part to address, but often times without much success,” Ms Manickchand said.

Ambassador Hardt had openly called on the Guyana government to hold local government elections which, he stressed, the US believed was a significant step in keeping with the transformative process in that CARICOM country.

He reiterated the sentiment at the said function at which Minister Manickchand made her comments.

No new vehicles for Antigua PM be defective.

According to the statement, preparations were put in place to have the defective vehicles replaced with vehicles already in use by the Transport Board, which would not have incurred any additional expenditure by the government.

He insisted that “no new vehicles would have been acquired.”

As such, therefore, the fleet of cars now assigned officially to the Prime Minister will decrease from six to three.

The decision of Prime Minister Browne to decrease his fleet of vehicles appears to be in

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that he has no intention to increase the size of the fleet of vehicles accorded his office. keeping with his administration’s policy of reducing the excesses of government, including the use of police officers as personal aides of ministers, including the Prime Minister. (Source: Caribbean 360)

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6. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

One of the most peaceful Carnivals

by HAYDN HUGGINS DEPUTY Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway has described Vincy Mas 2014 as one of the most peaceful Carnivals in

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in recent years.

His comments came on Wednesday, while addressing reporters in his office at the Central Police Station.

He was joined by Assistant Commissioner of Police, in charge of crime, Frankie Joseph, and Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Sydney James.

Hadaway, who was performing the duties of Commissioner Michael Charles who is on vacation, said that by today (Friday) the information would be available as to all the offences which occurred, and for which persons were charged during the Carnival period.

He noted that up to press time Wednesday, as of June 27 to that date, he had received information regarding two reports of wounding, but he stressed that they were still putting the statistics together.

He expressed the view that the peaceful nature of the Carnival was the result of a combination of efforts by the public and the police, and the enforcement of the ‘No glass bottle/glass container regulation’.

Hadaway had high praises for the police and the public, but he was particularly impressed by the exemplary way the people conducted themselves.

“I really commend the public highly for the mature way they conducted themselves during the Carnival season. They made our job easier,” he said.

The Deputy Commissioner noted that, while a number of persons were arrested and charged with possession of offensive weapons over the Carnival weekend, he could not recall if the police came across anyone with a cutlass. Most of those persons were found in possession of scissors.

He observed that not much of the drunken behaviour that used to be prevalent was seen this year.

(L-R) Deputy Commissioner Reynold Hadaway, Assistant Commissioner Frankie Francis and ASP Sydney James at last Wednesday’s meeting with news reporters.

Hadaway said that, while there may have been a few minor confrontations, the police were able to bring them under control in a matter of minutes.

He recalled one child misplacement, but said that in about 15 minutes, the police were able to locate the child’s mother.

Assistant Commissioner Joseph recalled only one arrest for counterfeit currency, an offence which used to be prevalent during the Carnival period.

CID Chief Sydney James said there were a few reports of pickpocketing, but this was not as prevalent as it was in previous years.

“We (police) promised and we delivered,” James underscored.

Hadaway noted that 32 persons were arrested during the five-day period, and between 15 and 20 were charged and taken to court for possession of offensive weapons.

Up to press time, there were 23 reports of theft recorded.

Hadaway highlighted the fact that two homicides which occurred during the Carnival weekend, one at Kingstown Park and the other on the Grenadine island of Bequia, took place outside the environs of Carnival, and he said that from his information, they were not carnival related.

The police campaign to ensure a safe and peaceful Carnival was deemed a success.

Ambrose: “Vincy Mas was a success” Editor’s Note: The following is a release signed by the Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation: Vincy Mas ended with a magnificent street parade of 13 Mas Bands averaging size of about 200-800 revellers and a sea of vibrant colors, a fitting climax to a successful Vincy Mas. The first band The CDC must have been elated with the continuing large numbers of persons who arrived at 11:00 attend the Soca Monarch competition. am, which was Mirage Mas Band, and others followed in and enjoyed by all who attended.

It was blatantly evident that many a fairly fluid manner visitors participated, and it shows that for judging in Victoria Park. The Bands were Vincy Mas appeals to the wider world.

The J’Ouvert and afternoon Street able to parade on the Party were tremendous. There were streets with no bands on the road on Monday with hindrances, the upwards of 4000 persons enjoying the weather was coevent. It is evident that this unique operative.

Dennis event is back in all its glory.

Our shows that Ambrose Thanks for the vigilance of the formed part of our says the CDC police and the security services in calendar of activities is happy helping to oversee good conduct. overall as far were well executed, Thanks to our sanitation services that and the results for the as the worked hard to give us a physically most part were well Carnival clean city. Thanks to the media for received.

Congrats to celebrations all the winners in the the wide coverage; now it’s back to the and official drawing board to review and start the categories. programme process of planning for 2015. The The private events were CDC is happy overall. were well patronized concerned.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 7.

News

New Queen and King crowned Friends’ ‘HEAT’. On Diamanche Gras, July 6.

Petra Pompey, portraying ‘Carib Beer’ from Nelson Bloc’s ‘We Drinking’, was awarded third position for a spot-on presentation of that drink; and Verlene Ralph-James, playing ‘The Sacred and the Profane’ from Owen Ralph and the Professionals’ ‘Dimensions in Life’, placed fourth.

Other competitors were: Cleopatra Weekes, with ‘Queen of Carnival’ from Melbourne Artisans’ ‘Compliments of the Season’; Irean Edwards, with ‘Queen of the Dragon Fish’ from Tribes’ ‘Oceanic Journey’; Cheryl Blackman, with ‘St. Vincent I Love You’ from My Imagination’s Gordon ‘Tarya’ Boucher, King of the Bands, ‘In Front D ‘The Grinch who stole Christmas’.

Eyes’; and JENNILEE GLASGOW, appearing in a costume entitled, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, from the mas band SVG Players International’s ‘Beyond the Rainbow’, beat out her arch rival, Semone Richardson, to take her tally to four wins in the last nine years of the Queen of the Bands competition.

Semone, looking to make it her sixth win and in the process do the hat trick, had to settle for second place, in a presentation ‘Fire and Ice’, from Blondie Bird and

Terrica Govia, with ‘Motherboard’ from High Voltage’s ‘Tech Fantasy’.

King ‘Tarya’ Veteran masquerader, Gordon ‘Tarya’ Boucher, walked away with the King of the Band’s title from a field of eight competitors.

‘Tarya’ who has been competing in the King of the Bands competition since 1983, had chalked up five titles from that year to 2013, and had made a name for himself with his manner of presentation: jerky hand and foot movements and a slight crawl.

Portraying a familiar character in a presentation called, ‘The Grinch who Stole Christmas’ from the Melbourne Artisans’ ‘Compliments of the Season’, ‘Tarya’ paraded his way to the title in a signature Grinch costume, amid a setting, rife with numerous Christmas decorations and paraphernalia, creating just the right ‘Yuletide’ aura

Jennilee Glasgow, Queen of the Bands, in her ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’. amidst the frenzy of Carnival.

In second position was Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Adams, a masquerader who had been creating waves on the King of the Bands competition scene since his debut in 2011, and who, in fact, was looking to do a beaver trick.

He appeared in ‘Fireworks’, from Blondie Bird and Friends’ ‘HEAT’. Leading mas designer and seasoned masquerader, Julian ‘Peling’ Pollard, appearing in an SVG Players International creation entitled, ‘At the End of the Rainbow is a Pot of Gold’, claimed third position. He

made a definite vie for the title, but was edged out.

So too, was Rupert Alexander of Tribes Mas Band, who portrayed ‘Titanic — the Sinking Wreckage’ from a band entitled, ‘Oceanic Journey’.

The other contenders were: Kenroy Francis from the band Nelson Bloc’s ‘We Drinking’, with a presentation, ‘Red Bull’; and McNeil John, with ‘Screen Saver’ from High Voltage’s ‘Tech Fantasy’.

My Imagination’s Mas Band and X-Treme Fanatics’ registered costumes, did not make appearances.

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8. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial The post Carnival ‘rehearsal mode’ ANOTHER Vincy Mas has come to an end, but mark this writer’s words: there are many who have already marked off the dates for Vincy Mas 2015 on their calendars.

How many of those are non-nationals based overseas and visitors from the region and abroad, is anybody’s guess.

Stop a while. Vincy Mas may have come and gone, but has the carnival season actually closed?

Some observers here are wont to say, albeit quietly, that this country is set, the result of very recent machinations, in an allyear-round rehearsal mode for the next Vincy Mas — the June-July Festival we call our own.

Let us accept that we are in this year-round rehearsal mode, isn’t it convenient that we should also ‘rehearse’ some of the other exacting impacts of carnival, other than the perceived stress release components of music, and partying? Isn’t it to our advantage that we also use that rehearsal mode to examine the economic impact of this ‘culture thing’ we call carnival?

Serious (some would say scientific) impact studies of carnivals elsewhere have all showed that carnivals around the globe (and there are, believe it or not, some 80 or so Caribbean-oriented carnivals across the globe) have offered much to the further development of their host countries.

The question is: When is the last time, if ever it was done, that we have done such a study of our Carnival?

Carnival is supposed to stimulate commercial activity — the Vincy Mas period is said to be a period of heightened commercial activity. But have we sought to ascertain how much, if any, carnival contributes to key revenue earning (economic) sectors like the cultural industries, tourism and hospitality?

Carnival is purported to attract ‘overwhelming numbers’ of visitors during the ‘slow period’ - outside of the tourism season but when is the last time we translated this assumption into real hard cold figures?

In 1977 when the change was made from a pre-Lenten to a June-July carnival, certain persons, steeped in economics, spoke to the opportunity for this country to create an alternative and sustainable source of revenue. Has this been fulfilled?

While we sit back in the Caribbean, carnivals in North America and England (Labour Day, Caribana and Notting Hill) spew out returns that, if the truth be told, make our economies look like dwarfs.

For example, Notting Hill carnival in 2003 is said to have generated some US$144 million on a capital investment of US$16 million. Have we ever taken the quality time to quantify the contribution of our carnival in this manner? Are we prepared to invest more in carnival?

Back to the issue of ‘an alternative and sustainable source of revenue’. While the far-flung carnivals draw much of their form and fashion from the Caribbean, how many Caribbean economies, perhaps with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, have benefited from a transfer (export) of (the Caribbean’s) music and mas? How much have these so called disaporic carnivals sought to foster genuine economic opportunities for our recording artistes, our pan men and women (tuners, arrangers) our mas designers, our artisans?

The global carnival markets offer real opportunities for the export of our skills. But are we serious about devising a coordinated, concerted effort to exploit these (opportunities)? Thing CARIFORUM-EU Partnership agreement.

During this rehearsal mode, wouldn’t it be wise that we spend some time seriously, considering how we can situate our cultural industries’ components on a footing that would make them into a real export sector, resulting in real transnational economic flows?

Confucius is said to have warned that ‘If we jump straight up, we develop foot only, not brain’.

Time to see the value of what we call a party in other terms… in terms that translate into real economic benefit for this country, not only at carnival time, but all- year-round, just like the referred ‘rehearsal mode’.

The development of the cultural industries here has been slow.

To allow the tardiness to prevail, is to acquiesce to the notion that carnival is all about fun (and that is important) and not (also) a viable economic enterprise.

Can we honestly say that we have a policy on carnival as an industry?

Time to put this rehearsal mode to wider and better use.

After The Carnival THE 2014 CARNIVAL season is over. We had plenty fun and gaiety, such as provided temporary reprieve and respite from our perennial problems. I maintain that I am a born kaiso man. I claimed twoPatches the runner-up whom I had first, and Skarpyon the number 3 man whom I had second. Only Abijah let me down with his second song.

In fact, one bard Sulle saw Carnival itself as “permanent”; we simply switched from one stage of play-acting to another, after the festivities, of really living a continuing life of misery.

The first item on the social agenda I rate as the announcement of national heroes which is supposed to serve as a further salve to our battered souls.

This is calculated to come on August 1st, the anniversary of our emancipation from slavery. After dragging the issue out for some ten years, I believe that the P.M has now decided that it must be settled right now if it is to make political sense, and influence the next elections which are due within months.

After the unanimous choice of our first National Hero in Joseph Chatoyer in 2002, there has been much stalling in furthering the process, mainly over the selection or not of Milton Cato.

The simple truth is that most progressive thinkers concede that Cato was in fact the person at the helm at the time Independence was granted, but that he was really only an accident of history, who did not merit the prestigious acclaim of National Hero. Among such persons were Oscar Allen, Ralph Gonsalves, Parnel Campbell, Renwick Rose, Kenneth John, Caspar London, Blazer Williams and Jomo Thomas, among others. Those who had pleaded loudest the Cato Cause consistently included Burns Bonadie, Rene` Baptiste, Cims Martin, Nappy Williams and the like.

It so happened that Ralph Gonsalves underwent a change of heart on the subject after his party, the MNU, had merged with the Labour Party to form the UPM which won government in March 2001.

Immediately, attempts were made officially to select Cato a National Hero.

They included several meetings, all of which were aborted or came to nothing, almost certainly because of the rational objections put up by the publicists that included even UPM members or sympathizers.

The ruse having failed to produce the goods, a new strategy was tried by appointing a formal committee of persons of all parties under the Chairmanship of Rene Baptiste with a built-in bias to the ruling administration, to accomplish the job.

That method ran into trouble when Adrian Fraser and I delivered public papers advancing the claims respectively of George Mc Intosh and Ebenezer Joshua, both of which were well received by the general public.

The Prime Minister though, regaled with decisive powers in the final choices, felt that

he had to reply with a paper that favourably referred to all three personages that included Milton Cato.

Jomo Thomas, who had warned the PM of the obvious bias inherent in such an approach which virtually confirmed Ralph’s dictum that the PM was fully in charge of all official decisions “from Papa to Papa’. It was a case of over- kill, and Jomo resigned from the committee in disgust which has since floundered in a mass of confusion, out of which apparently has come the Prime Minister’s unilateral edict from on high.

My final team has been Mc Intosh, Joshua and Parmenos Eustace, after more indepth reflection, having overlooked him at first sight.

Jomo’s Puzzling Political Role Meanwhile, politics being what it is in SVG, Jomo has been accepted as a ULP senator and Deputy Speaker of the House.

Additionally, he heads the Slavery Reparations Committee that sponsored the bill in Parliament that gave vent to much feelings about slavery and the need, form and content of reparations, much of which were lost in the unnecessary bickering, cross-talk and showmanship of both sides while Jomo showered praises on Ralph for his work on the project. A case of mutual back-scratching.

Jomo has used the fair winds blowing his way to act fearlessly in his professionbold expressions on the Clico affair, the Bigger Biggs fiasco, winning the case for Otto Sam who was miss-handled by the Prime Minister, of all persons!

Above all, jumping ahead with the attendant risks of speaking out of turn on the shameful matter of the corruption at the Registry, the engine-room of the law on which the country is supposedly founded.

And, in fact, casting a wide net in a recent article “Lawyers on trial” which drags in some lawyers for the slightest of infractions and in turn opens Jomo to the charge of self- righteousness.

As to whether or not Jomo ends up the ULP Candidate for South Leeward only the gods and Dr. Gonsalves can tell. But I know additional reasons for Ralph not welcoming Jomo as an elected candidate: Jomo’s age, ambition, experience, and brilliance would put Camillo’s preferment to the Prime Ministership in jeopardy.

But all the above arguments may be dismissed as academic and theoretical, blown apart sky-high when Patches does “Ring De Bell”, like Gonsalves whose mother was said to have fathered him.

Patches’ old Queen had been a real kingIris King.

On a sad note the death is recorded of our beloved son Elwardo Lynch who has gone to Elysian Fields, at last, for eternal rest from his earthly problems .

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 9.

Letters

From Orde to NOC President

Dear Sir, Is it the practice of the SVG National Olympic Committee (SVGNOC) NOC to discriminate against an athlete because of his/her age?

Based on the results of the last two years of competition in SVG Table Tennis, the two best players are Carlton Samuel and Robert Ballantyne. How is it then that neither of these players has been selected to represent SVG at the 2014 Commonwealth Games?

Discrimination is defined as unequal and unfair treatment of individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex or age, which results in denial of opportunities, selection or promotion. Is this a practice of the SVGNOC? According to the Code of Ethics of the Olympic Charter (2013), under

the section Dignity: safeguarding the dignity of the individual is a fundamental requirement of Olympism: and there shall be no discrimination between the participants on the basis of race, gender, ethnic origin, religion, philosophical or political opinion, marital status or other grounds.

Also under Principle 6.1 - Right to participate and involvement of the athletes in the Olympic and Sports Movement and governing bodies, the right of athletes to participate in sports competitions at an appropriate level should be protected. Sports organisations must refrain from any discrimination.

I repeat: The charter clearly and emphatically states that, ‘Sports organisations must refrain from any

discrimination’. How is it then, that you are allowing this practice by the Table Tennis Association?

Sean Stanley, a member of the Executive of the SVG Table Tennis Association, in response to a posting from Jerry George on Facebook, writes: “Orde Ballantyne, as a Christian, you need to get your facts straight before blah. There was never a trial for selection of a team to the Commonwealth Games involving your brother.

The Association is investing in young people. Your brother is 55 years old. SVG cannot win a medal or come in the top ten at the Games, regardless to the composition of the team.

The Association had four tournaments, your brother won one. A 14year-old Bajan player of Vincentian parentage

beat your brother twice, and all the other players.

This strengthens our point why we must expose our youths. I was never involved in any trials. I played all the tournaments just to help with the level. I am 46 years old, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel for me as a tennis player. I cannot get better with my age, and so is the level in the country, if the Association invests in people like me. The Association has nothing personal against any player. This ‘represent till yo weary thing’ must be eliminated in order for the sport to grow. I am a master now, so I look forward to compete regionally and internationally in this area.”

Clearly, his comments speak to the discriminatory and unethical practice of the

Association and, Sir, your august body is allowing this practice at the National selection level, to violate the code of ethics that you should subscribe to. Is it that you are not aware, or is it that you have closed your eyes and ears to the plight of senior citizens who are still heavily involved in competitive sports?

Please, Sir, perhaps you were not hoping that someone would unearth your (SVGNOC) illegal and unethical practice, but now that it is in the open, what do you intend to do about it?

Orde Ballantyne

Kudos for Solid Waste workers

I have had the good fortune to travel extensively.

This included annual visits to the Caribbean, particularly to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for your carnival. In fact, this year is my fourth visit for Vincy Mas. Mr. Editor, our new Prime Minister and will learn whom he can this has been the best As usual, I have heard comments about the state CARICOM leaders just Chairman, Gaston trust and whom he can’t) ever meeting of of affairs in your country. I suppose what I hear is met in Antigua. I am Browne, would have gone were duly entertained.

CARICOM in recent predicated on which political party a person certain they had a grand out of his way to make What struck me the times. I think there was supports. time. I’m certain it sure his comrade leaders most about this Meeting, too much recycling, But I am not here to comment about your wasn’t all business, and (from among whom he was what Dr. Kenny recycling not just of politics, nor am I here to comment on whether the Anthony, St. Lucia’s items, not just of issues, mas was good, the calypso was bad, or the prime minister, had to but I get the impression say. Readers might have that sometimes there is a steelbands have made progress. I will enjoy Vincy Mas regardless. heard or read it lack of will to really I must, though, comment on one of the services I elsewhere, but I think it implement decisions we witnessed first-hand during Vincy Mas. Mountains and valleys to explore is important that we have made about how we I was pleased, after hearing comments to the You are welcomed to go off road carry it in a journal like ourselves will organise contrary (baseless I can now say) about how dirty Enjoy islands in the sun yours. the meetings, manage Kingstown is.

I agree, I don’t live here, but what I Go rock climbing, hiking, scuba diving This is what Dr. the meetings of heads of saw immediately after the bands stopped on All national attractions.

Anthony had to say (in governments.”

J’Ouvert morning, is worthy of commendation.

Parks and gardens you’re welcomed to visit, paraphrase) on Friday, Perhaps now persons I saw the workers and trucks of your Solid Waste Rough seas or calm waters, white sand, black sand the last day of the will accept what some of service out in their numbers cleaning the streets beaches Meeting: “… can’t keep us have been saying for a and gutters that literally had become overrun by Your passport needs to be stamped and you should coming to meetings of very long time: plastic glasses, containers and what have you. be the Caribbean CARICOM summits are I stuck around in Kingstown to observe this, and, Officially approved by the government Community (CARICOM) a lot of hot air and a Now you really can go off-roading subject to correction, in a matter of three hours, you leaders where the same showpiece for certain You can check out the various waterfalls would not have believed that there was a festival issues are discussed over leaders to show off their You really enjoy the island at the climax on the streets if Kingstown. The street and gutters and over again. ….. intellect.

That is on the mountain top looking down were CLEAN!!

While the summit here This is my motherland and I love the sound that Your country should be proud that there is at was faced with a heavy Sam Nature makes at any given time of day least one sector of workers who fulfil their agenda, I could not say Depending on the attraction that you decide to be responsibility with that familiar with level of dedication.

Don’t you love the sunset and the island people?

And by the way, My Motherland is your Motherland to visit to during the course of my explore stay, I was also able to CONGRATULATIONS to Starlift position in the School-based category.

To become familiar with observe the household Steel Orchestra for their repeat Johnny ‘JP’ Pompey is a solid Head of State is OK with it garbage system that is in panman, if there ever was one. His The mutual agreement is no disrespect, no littering victory in the Community-based place. Where I stayed, Junior Panorama. From what I could arrangement for the GHS was a No damaging just love it, appreciate it the truck was there, ‘pick-up’ from the broadcast (which I winner from the first note.

On this island there are different festivals promptly in the early heard via the internet), they won By the time this is published, the Where everyone gets together as one hands down. Their rendition of winner of the Senior Panorama will be hours of today (carnival They celebrate uniqueness Poorsah’s Mouth in me Mooma was known.

Tuesday), to remove Recognise differences but love it all the same electrifying as it was entertaining.

I suppose the battle would have garbage from the homes My Motherland has a capital city, a place to be I also want to recognize the work of come down to one between Sion Hill of residents. This is The central so to speak Rodney Small. As a young man, he and Starlift. Whoever wins, it is pan But each parish village, and community is just as highly commendable. has nothing to be ashamed about. I that will be the bigger winner. important I have learned that it predict that it would not be long Happy Vincy Mas to all.

And just as interesting to check out is the ‘little things’ that before he rules the roost in both A tourist attraction we often overlook.

Junior and Senior panoramas. He is Garnet, NY I am from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Kudos for the Solid an arranger who is well beyond his (Editor’s note: This letter was That’s my Motherland.

Waste workers of SVG. years. submitted too late for inclusion in last Congratulations also to the Girls’ week’s issue, as was the expectation of Kenisha Joslyn VIN High School for returning to the top the writer.)

Dr. Anthony says it like it is Motherland

ÂBig upÊ to Starlift and GHS

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10. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Thank you, „EG‰ (First published in October 2013)

ELWARDO ‘EG’ Lynch burst on the scene in 2001 as host of the New Times programme, the political programme of the New Democratic Party (NDP). He immediately took the airwaves by storm with his humour and guile. The manner in which he conducted the programme made him the most popular talk show host in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to the extent that calypsonian “I” won the NDP calypso competition with his calypso “Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lynch”.

Between 10:30 A.M and 1:45 P.M on weekdays, all radios in the country were locked on to NICE radio; so too were the computers at home and in the Diaspora.

Vincentians wanted to hear Mr. Lynch on the New Times programme. They enjoyed the method which he employed to address the issues that were affecting the country. In his unique style, Mr. Lynch captured his audience’s attention so that no one moved the radio dial for the duration of the programme.

Through the New Times Programme, Mr. Lynch was instrumental in keeping the

Party’s base together, during the critical period just after the 2001 general elections, when the NDP was rebuilding with its new leader, the Honourable Arnhim Eustace.

He also got the party’s message across, not only to the NDP’s supporters, but to those who supported the ULP and independent voters. As host of the NEW Times programme, Mr. Lynch encouraged the callers to ask his guests tough questions. By asking tough questions, Mr. Lynch was of the opinion that it helped to get more information from the NDP members to the general public.

During election campaigns, EG Lynch chaired most of the NDP’s public meetings, and thousands of Vincentians attended those meetings, not only to hear the party’s programmes and policies, but to see and hear the diminutive but powerful EG Lynch. He captivated the audience for the duration of the meetings.

Moreover, he became friends with hundreds of NDP supporters, who made significant contributions to

him, and are still making mismanagement of the excellent care of him. He is those contributions today. Mr. economy, bad roads , rat visited regularly by the party’s Lynch will tell you, even infested schools, the hospital, leader, the Hon. Arnhim though the ULP was hostile to rape, ‘walking on the beach’ or Eustace, and other members of him, he made friends with going to Rome. There were the NDP. After all, Mr. some ULP supporters. also instances when he Lynch is very special to the There were times when Mr. unleashed stinging attacks on NDP, and will always be Lynch broke away from the individuals who had crossed remembered by the party. politics on the programme, his path. Because of all those His contribution to the NDP and dealt with other topical attacks on the ULP and its has been exceptional, and for issues. For instance, he dealt supporters, he was made to that, the NDP expresses its with diabetes, hypertension, suffer. He was taken to court heartfelt thanks. Words reparation and child abuse. on a number of occasions, and cannot express our gratitude From those programmes, endured tremendous pain at for the service he rendered to important information was the hands of the ULP the party. Mr. Lynch was a relayed to the general public, Administration. He was tower of strength, even when and they also generated charged huge sums of money. the odds were against him. fruitful discussions. In Mr. Lynch also lost his Once again, “EG”, thank addition, they attracted callers property, but he was not you. And we know that that would not have normally silent. All that punishment members of the NDP and the called the political programme. made him stronger, and got nation are praying for you.

Besides those issues, he had “EG’ to talk more.

In closing, Mr. Lynch a special way in which he However, in 2011, Mr. constantly reminded us that it began his programme. He Lynch’s health began to fail. was Major Leacock who always started with his After visiting doctors in St. introduced him to radio, and regional and international Vincent, he was referred to for that he is eternally news roundup, and made specialist physicians overseas, grateful. comments and created lively and spent a period of time in On a daily basis, when Mr. discussions from the news.

Barbados and the USA. He Lynch came to the end of his EG Lynch was a thorn in remained off the air for some programme, you could hear the side of the ULP regime time before returning to the him say: “If it is the will of and its supporters, and soon microphone in 2012, and the Lord, I’ll be back became an enemy to the ULP. picked up where he had left tomorrow, that’s how it is, He viciously attacked the ULP off. His return was to be for a ladies and gentlemen, in this government and exposed the brief peiod only. He took ill country.” problems while broadcasting, was After resting comfortably confronting hospitalised and did not for several months at a St. Vincent return to radio. nursing home, Mr. Lynch died and the Presently, Mr. Lynch is peacefully on the morning of Grenadines, resting comfortably in a Wednesday 9th, July, 2014. whether it nursing home. Whenever you Our deepest condolences to his was visit him, he has his radio family and friends. He will be corruption, listening to the New Times missed. He was a champion for victimisation, programme, the programme the poor. He was a champion the which he once hosted. The for democracy. May his soul NDP continues to take rest in peace. environment.

UNDERTAKES to be vigilant to trends in the society that hinder the advancement of women, such as growing unemployment, and lack of sexual and reproductive health services, which increase Dear Sir, VINLEC received from the sale of the risk of becoming electricity, excluding VAT, for May victims of human RE: VINLEC subsidy of fuel 2014. trafficking surcharge and my letter to you dated 5 The price paid by the AND ENCOURAGES 16 June 2014. company/VINLEC in October 1973 women and men, boys It is 23 days since I wrote to you per gallon for the oil/fuel. and girls, and policy about the subsidy of the fuel 6 The sum of revenue which is makers, to unite in the surcharge.

To date, I have not receivable for street lighting in SVG struggle for a life free of in May 2014. violence for all humanity, received an acknowledgement of my letter nor a reply. I am very 7 What was the percentage of the as we approach the 20th concerned, and I write to you for the fuel surcharge subsidy given in May Anniversary of the second time. Could you please send 2014 to all VINLEC’s customers?

Beijing Platform for me the following information for May VINLEC has been claiming that it Action for the 2014? was subsidizing the fuel surcharge for Advancement of women, 1 The total number of gallons of several months. We call on VINLEC the 15th anniversary of oil/fuel consumed by the company in to be transparent and disclose the the Millennium supplying the said units of electricity financial statistics to prove the fuel Development Goals, and for May 2014. surcharge subsidy. the 20th anniversary of 2 The current price paid per gallon the Conference on the Sustainable Development for the oil/fuel.

3 The total number of units of I request a reply by 31st July, 2014. of Small Island electricity produced from VINLEC’s Developing States hydro for May 2014.

Yours faithfully, (SIDS).

4 The total sum of revenue Ivan O’Neal BSc Hons, MSc, MBA

Statement on “Confronting and eliminating violence against women and girls – Changing the conversations”.

IN RECOGNITION of its 44th year as a regional women’s organization, and on the occasion of its 22nd Biennial Conference, the Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA): REITERATES its condemnation of the continuing incidence of crime and violence in its member countries, to the extent that the Caribbean has emerged as the region with the highest percentage of crime in relation to its population RE-COMMITS to support the creation of a culture of peace in the Caribbean through engagement in activities that will lead to an understanding of power and the practice of nonviolent life-styles that will lead to the elimination of violence in all its forms APPEALS to communities to confront the pandemic of domestic

violence by participating in awareness building programmes on gender and violence prevention, using proven material and methodologies, such as popular theatre, which are sensitive to peoples’ needs, especially those entrapped by violence CONVINCED that society must change its attitude and expression from one of condemnation to nonjudgemental conversations, so that women are not portrayed as either inviting or deserving of the violent crimes of incest, rape, assault and murder committed against them IMPLORES the authorities to establish and implement protocols of conduct by institutions and law enforcement officers, health workers and social workers and care givers to ensure that those seeking support are dealt with in a safe and non-threatening

Green Party writes VINLEC

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 11.

Views

Discontent, Discord and Destruction

“ONE OF SATAN’S greatest tools is pride: to cause a man or a woman to centre so much attention on self that he or she becomes insensitive to his Creator or fellow beings. It is a cause for discontent, divorce, teenage rebellion, family indebtedness, and most other problems we face.” Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) American church leader, secretary of agriculture 1953-61 Simple, little, insignificant things can sometimes create catastrophic outcomes. One small spark can destroy many acres of forest. One tiny crack in a wall can result in a building toppling over. One minute of indiscretion can ruin a life. One moment of discontent can trigger discord among the closest of friends.

And, if left unattended, can destroy a relationship. It is therefore so very important for all of us, myself included, to beware and be aware of the dangers that discontent can create.

For some readers, this article provides a timely reminder that we should not underestimate the value of being forever on guard against the seemingly “little things” in our lives, that can become a highway to destruction. We pause to reflect on the fact that caustic envy or greed can result in fuelling feelings of discontent. And at this early stage of our discourse, it is important to indicate that not all discontent is bad.

There is “healthy discontent” when, for example, we see injustice or abuse and are moved to object to such behaviours. However, this article focuses on the discontent that is generated when we allow our thoughts to “look into someone’s plate” and we become envious — wanting what they have. This “wayward gaze” is not limited to craving for another’s material possession. It could also involve engaging in activities that disrupt relationships that others may treasure.

As I key in these words I recall the sad case of an Ethiopian that I studied with in England in the 1970s.

His father was a senior government official in that African nation. He was one of the most charming and pleasant individuals that I met while in the UK. However, he had a deep hatred for the British. He resented the fact that they had “raped his country of their wealth”. He was determined to get back at them in his own sinister way ... by sowing discord among the closest of his British friends. That was his agenda. And, despite my efforts to persuade him to discontinue this evil practice, the charming Ethiopian weaved his way into many close relationships and cunningly planted his seeds of discontent; these fuelled discord; and in a relatively short space of time the fruits of destruction became quite evident. With a gleam of pride on his face, and sparkles in his eyes, he boasted of how easily he had destroyed two wedding engagements and several close friendships. To him, it was a “game of revenge”. He showed no signs of remorse. He could

not be persuaded to change his course. He mastered the art of triggering dark emotions, creating mistrust, and letting the discontent take its ugly course. His sick mind (aided by his “good looks” and his charming personality) devised schemes that allowed him to weave his way into relationships (I hesitate to say “friendships”) with the clear intention of wreaking havoc.

The example presented in the preceding paragraph, this real life story, is intended to be a warning to all of us. We must be forever on guard against those individuals who may mask themselves as our “friends” but have some dangerous ulterior motives. We must be forever on the lookout for those who seek to sow seeds of discord among us. Warning bells should ring whenever someone seeks to encourage us to make decisions based solely on emotions and/or prejudices. These kinds of persons exist. We will be naive to think otherwise. We should be wise and discerning as we endeavour to ensure that they do not influence our thoughts along negative paths. And while we may strive to lead them along a more noble course, we should understand and appreciate that we have no control over their thoughts and actions. All we can seek to do is influence them otherwise. We cannot change them. They will decide which road they will walk. But as for us, we must seek to avoid negative discontent (based on envy, greed, malice, and so on). We must champion causes that create and sustain camaraderie and unity — not discord. We must avoid the caustic and destructive tendencies that will enter our minds from time to time.

And to do this, we must shun individuals who lead us along the negative, thorny pathways of envy, greed, pride, malice, un-forgiveness, and so on. We must avoid listening to songs and programmes that fuel negative feelings. We must stay away from Internet sites that cause our negative emotions to fester. We must regularly entertain pure thoughts and seek to be around individuals who will build us up (not pull us down). We must seek to produce the sweet fruits of the spirit — love, joy, peace, and so on. These will not happen by accident. They will not be created by default. We, you and I, must consciously seek out wisdom. We must search for her as we would for a hidden treasure. We will build a better world when we abandon discontent, discord, and destruction.

We will have happier and more fulfilling lives when we embrace and portray a spirit of peace, contentment, harmony, and togetherness.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com

God took a little more time DELROY ‘FIREMAN’ HOOPER climbed into the cultural record books with a stellar carnival season. He won the Ragga Soca and Power Soca competitions last Saturday evening.

And by the end of Carnival 2014, he took the first and second prizes in the Road March competition.

Fireman won the judge’s favour by rendering two powerful songs: ‘Rum Meeting’ and ‘Unruly’. He was clearly the people’s choice as well. The music in both songs was a departure from the racy/techno tempo we have come to accept in Soca music, to a sweet and settled melody and a drum line that was enchanting and bouncy.

Fireman, in my estimation, is by far the most talented of the cultural artistes around. He not only understands the culture and history of our people, he lives their lives and feelings, and co-operates this into his songs. Yes, Fireman is one of the very few Soca artistes who year after year sings a complete song.

His energy is infectious and captivating. His simplicity and lifestyle belie the enormous power he holds over large sections of Vincentian youth. I remain absolutely amazed that these artistes can command thousands of youth to do virtually anything and have them move in tandem. I am similarly amazed that in this mass movement there is not a single report of persons being injured or hurt in any way. An effort must be made to direct this untapped energy displayed so powerfully at carnival.

All those who claim that Fireman has no regional reach or appeal will have to think again. Next year, it will be more Fire as our premier cultural ambassador takes his ‘Rum Meetings’ to the alcoholically merry streets of carnival crazy Trinidad.

It is my hope that Fireman will overcome the narrow nationalist views of Trinidadian judges to take either the Groovy or Power Soca category in their Soca monarch competition.

Too many rum meetings and unruly behavior.

A word of caution is in order. While the rum meeting and unruly acts are designed for carnival and fun, they celebrate a kind of ill-discipline that we have to guard against. Too many of our youth consume far too much alcohol and invariably engage in activities that would impact negatively on their health or the physical wellbeing of others. Are we sending a right signal when we tell youth to mash up everything or go mad?

Every composition is not a calypso A few years ago, calypsonian Abijah called on Soca to ease up and give Calypso some breathing space. It will not happen anytime soon with what passed for a calypso competition last Sunday evening. We are evidently losing the art of writing. Our calypsoans have come to believe that by stringing a few words together, they have a calypso. But a calypso is much more than a composition. It is a work of art.

There are no hook lines anymore.

There are very few songs that have a melody to speak about. It is as if the calypso competition has become a reciting act. Could any of us remember the name of this year’s Calypso monarch? Could we remember the names of the songs he performed? Could we remember a line from his songs? Now go back to an

earlier era, pick a given year, and I will bet there’s a line you can sing.

I had Patches Knights as 2014 calypso monarch because his songs were exceptionally good. And in at least in one of them, Patches went back to the true art of Calypso writing. There was a clear and distinctive melody, a popular theme and chorus’ and a hook that calypso lovers will recall for some time.

Here is Patches: Ring the bell comrade, comrade ring the bell Who ain’t going to jail going to hell Ring the bell comrade, comrade ring the bell Vincentians will overcome your spell Ring the bell comrade ring the bell This time there’s going to be a ground swell.

Now what was the chorus in any of the two songs for the man who beat Patches into second place? With the possible exception of Becket’s Horn fo Dem, a calypsonians have never been a predictor of the political weather.

What they do is give vent to the feelings and frustrations and expectations of the people. Patches created an overly cloudy and gloomy picture with his refrain ‘I never see more mess’, but give it to him for expressing the views of a significant section of the population in a catchy fashion. If and when you hear the song you can’t help but say, ‘Kaiso, Kaiso’.

Goddesses of the soil Take a casual stroll in Kingstown during the work week and you will be struck by the absolute beauty of Vincentian women. Have them take off much of their clothing, as many do during the carnival season, and there is a marvel fest.

Skarpyon ain’t tell no lie when he said that God must have taken a little more time with some women. I know not about whom he was singing, but I know for sure that that line truly reflects the extra effort put into the wonder we call Vincentian women.

A friend, currently residing abroad, remarked that Vincentian women were always majestically made. He claims, however, that he did not see the full magnitude of their beauty because he could not afford to dress up so as to make himself more alluring.

He may be right. More of us have family members abroad who send home some of the latest fashions to their love ones. Additionally, there are many more women in the work force who can buy nicely styled and fitting clothing that bring out their best. Another reason is that better quality clothing can be purchased much more cheaply than before.

What every the reason for the glow, the natural beauty of our women allows them to represent well and hold their own.

Carnival allows the people to let off some steam as well as much needed rest and relaxation. Now it’s back to the grind of daily living and the preparation of the children for the new school year.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to wefirst@aol.com

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12. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Weak economy causing drinking water crisis in SVG THE ECONOMIC situation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is so severe that many households have no income to pay water bills, and have had their water supply cut off. These households are desperately trying to sustain the lives of their family.

On 1st July 2014, the Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, and Miss Susan Simon, the SVG Green Party candidate for North Windward, were called to the home of a young mother in the Bay Road area of North Windward. The young mother explained that her piped water had been cut off by CWSA, and that she and her young baby have been left stranded without drinking water.

The young woman is aware that she cannot drink the river water, because the river water is polluted upstream with chemicals, and it would harm her and her baby. She is having to beg neighbours for a bucket of drinking water to keep herself and her baby alive, as there is no standpipe in her area.

She has asked SVG Green Party to raise the alarm bell about the desperate situation she and many other households are in, having had their water cut off by CWSA. As it is an emergency and a crisis, she is asking for one or two water standpipes to be fitted in the Bay Road area of the North Windward constituency. Unemployment is very high

in this area, and people cannot pay their water bills.

The young mother cannot afford the $100 dollars for the water reconnection fee and the high water prices. The grave situation of the young mother and her baby being without drinking water is replicated throughout the country. These households have been ignored by the ULP regime, and the whole water situation needs to be addressed urgently.

For many households, the monthly water meter rental charge of $14 and monthly environmental fee of $11 is more than the cost of the actual water the household uses. This is senseless, and causes a drinking water crisis as households are having their water cut off.

A Green government would bring smart meters to SVG which use the key charge system. Households could then pay as they go and top up (as people do with mobile phones) their water meter key whenever they want, in amounts that are affordable to them, from $1 upwards. This way, no household in SVG would ever have their water cut off again, and there would be no bills at the end of the month.

A Green government would also cut the price of water by 50% and abolish the water meter rental charge. The reconnection charge of $100 would be

abolished too because, with smart meters, it would be redundant. We would take the monthly $11 environmental fee out of the water bill to help poor households and induce an environmental fee of $11 on tourists as part of the departure tax.

The cost of the lower water price and installing of smart meters will be funded by exporting excess drinking water abroad. The only reason why any household in SVG is not connected to mains water is because we have a grossly incompetent ULP government that lacks vision and innovation.

Our country is in crisis; the ULP regime has wrecked the economy. As a short-term, emergency remedy, SVG Green Party calls on the ULP regime to install many more standpipes throughout the country.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Calypso’s top three: A Commentary OF THE TWENTY-TWO songs offered at the Sunday 6th July, 2014 Calypso Monarch finals held at Victoria Park, once proclaimed ‘Carnival City’, six could be classified as political commentary. That is a slap in the faces of the many who, for whatever narrow political reason(s), continue to misrepresent the art form by claiming, ‘calypsonains singing too much politics’.

Lest we forget, the calypso art form has always been an emblem of resistance against the established order. It has been, and will continue to be, the vanguard of change and an upholding of the right to question, and that is what the establishment fears most.

So, against the backdrop of this ‘drought’ of ‘politically charged’ calypsos offered on Calypso Finals night, are we to conclude that there is a move away from this ‘type’ of calypso’? Is it that calypso composers have lost their skill or motivation in the face of heightened and instantaneous media coverage of and commentary on (the) events that would normally constitute the references in their compositions?

School may well still be out on these (questions).

physical impression on that Sunday night, that said, “’Man Zangie’ had matured.”

His ‘Act before it’s too late’, not unlike ‘Fyah Empress’ ‘ Don’t blame the youth’ in demographic target, and ‘The Victims Cry’, were skilfully crafted, adhering to the basic rudiments of typical calypso writing, not unduly orchestrated, and delivered with a dose of emotion that was just the correct prescription.

After a number of tries at hitting the top, ‘Man Zangie’ had not only found the correct writer, he had learned to measure the extent to which he imposed his persona and emotions on the delivery of the compositions, and found a comfortable key. He was clear and expressive, even if at times the musical accompaniment (for ‘Victims Cry’) could have been softened so as to allow him even greater ease.

He had found his niche and was deservedly rewarded: 2014 National Calypso Monarch.

A footnote: While as we go to press, we are yet to confirm this with ‘Man Zangie’ himself, we take the liberty of saying that he could well be the first Barrouallie native to have won the Calypso Monarch, dating back to 1960.

Olsen ‘Caribbean Pete’ Peters, who enjoys a place of eminence in the calypso annals of this country beyond his two calypso Monarch titles of 1962 and 1963, comes closest in contention.

His mother was born in Barrouallie.

He, however, was not.

who may have tried to ‘pull him down’ after his victory last year, a sentiment he expressed in his finals number, ‘Rising Higher’.

He represents a new era, and he must be prepared to continue to be among its leadership.

Interestingly, there was more of a ‘connection’ with another generation of calypso from Skarpyon this year. It was as though he had decided to recognise that the art form may warrant some change, some modification, but one must tread cautiously and not stray too far away from the proven structure.

Credit ‘Skarpyon’ with an innovative approach to his musical arrangement in which he uses the same two or three chords in the rhythm section, to dive from below, the melody that varies at the top and out front. His ‘The Blight’, the better of his two offerings on finals nights, was representative of this approach, which he used so successfully in his ‘Conchs’ hit of last year.

His ‘Rising Higher’ may not have been an apt choice of topic, and it would have served him in good stead to have investigated how many defending monarchs had retained their titles expressing the same sentiment. The topic simply has never ‘Zamfir’ – the Monarch caught the fancy of patrons and judges alike. May be because it smacks of Whatever, Zamfir ‘Man Zangie’ arrogance.

Adams, a member of the Royal SVG That said, ‘Skarpyon’ has hit on a constabulary, did not rely on matters ‘Skarpyon’. Rising higher workable formula that will serve him political to earn himself a first time well in both the calypso and raga soca hold of the coveted Calypso Monarch Defending Monarch Shernelle genres. He has to continue to refine title. He chose more ‘worldly’ issues on ‘Patches’ – bridging the generational ‘Skarpyon’ Williams must not feel that it, especially for calypso, without which to expound. His is best he was unduly undone. His third affecting the fundamentals of the art gap described as social commentary. place should speak otherwise to him; form.

No stranger to the stage and the And as though to send a message it should tell him that he has arrived, calypso arena, there was yet a that two extremes could meet outside and now commands a place of genuine Nuff said!! ‘newness about him, an air, a sound, a an imaginary bliss, the judges respect, even with his ‘jab’ at those awarded the evergreen, indefatigable Robert ‘Patches’ Knights, a representative of another generation of singers/calypsonians and songwriters, the second spot.

‘Patches’ undoubtedly had the most popular calypso, ‘Ring De bell’, of the season, one of the six referred to ‘politically charged’ calypsos. In fact, both his songs carried political overtones, and undertones as per his ‘Build Again’.

He may have had a setback here and there with the consistency of musical accompaniment in his first ‘round in which he did ‘Build Again’, but his mastery of voice modulation, his ability to use his vocal range to cover mistakes of prolonging the music bar beyond what was written, not easily discernible to the untrained ear, propelled him to a position that, given the lack of ‘seriousness’ with which he approached the season, might have surprised him.

But one should never be surprised by this cultural icon. His simplicity of lyric writing, embellished by a style of orchestration which is not typically what is heard in calypso compositions, make always for a moving performance.

But it is his sense of conviction that sets him apart, and this is showcased by the empathy which characterises his performances, as was again prominent on finals night.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 13.

Carnival

BlondieÊs ÂHEATÊ scorches Mardi Gras

the preceding mas competitions.

SVG Players International put up a THE MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS in good fight, but the furious, fiery Vincy Mas this year progressed amid sparks that kept flying in their blazing sunlight, but that was not the direction thoroughly disabled their only heat source. competitive edge. Their presentation Blondie Bird and Friends fired up the was called ‘Beyond the Rainbow’.

Band of the Year competition, unleashing But the Players were not the only a cauldron of fire on their competitors, ones and easily wresting the title from last scorched by year’s winners, SVG Players the fervent International. heat. In Their presentation, entitled simply third ‘HEAT’, let loose ten sections on position Victoria Park and the streets of was Nelson Kingstown for Mardi Gras, July 8.

Bloc with The final victory came as no their surprise, though, as the band had already chalked up numerous wins in

by GLORIAH…

Blondie’s ‘Rings of Fire’

‘Circus Fire’ from ‘HEAT’

‘Fiery’, that’s how hot Blondie’s ‘HEAT was.

presentation of ‘We Drinking’; fourth was High Voltage with ‘Tech Fantasy’; and Dragons Cultural Organization brought in the fifth position with ‘Say it with Flowers in the Dragons Garden’.

Also in the line-up for simmering embers were: Melbourne Artisans with

‘Compliments of the Season’; Imagination Mas Band with ‘In Front D Eyes’; Tribes Mas Band with ‘Oceanic Journey’; Mirage Productions with ‘Utopia’; Owen Ralph and the Professionals with ‘Dimensions in Life’; and Beautex International with their presentation of ‘Culture Pot’.

14. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 15.

Fireman Rules again by certain radio stations. Rise up against artistes who pay DJ’s to push their songs and not play other artistes’ songs”.

The audio also took direct aim at Fireman’s arch rival, ‘Skinny Fabulous’, declaring: “I have a dream that anyone who is bad from the day dey born, and encourage crazy people to escape from the mental home, will destroy the moral fabric of our society, and destroy the minds of our children”, a clear reference to ‘Skinny’s’ ‘Made for this/Red Button’.

Following the video clip, ‘Fireman’ emerged from among the large crowd, as the flares ignited and large flags, labeled ‘Unruly’, fluttered high above the heads of the patrons.

From thereon in, he ruled, beckoning the audience to be ‘Unruly’, even as he had them moving in synchronized motion, now to the right, then to the left, up then down.

It was clear that after his performance, the 13th of a finalists’ lists of 15 on the night’s card, that ‘Fireman’ was out front by what some said was “a mile.”

And the judges thought so too, much to the satisfaction, as understated as it sounds, of the audience.

Locks flying, an indication of ‘Fireman’s ‘UNRULY’ but successful Third place went to Shertz ‘Problem’ assault on the Soca Monarch title. (Photo Credit: Oris Robinson) James, with his track, ‘No discipline’, considered his best performance to date in

by KENVILLE HORNE competitions here.

Others campaigning that night were: DELROY ‘FIREMAN’ HOOPER became the ‘winniest’ Power Scoa Monarch Lancelot ‘ Madskull’ Gloster- with ‘Family’s; competition winner, when he retook the tile, Saturday 5th July, at Raeon ‘Maddzart’ Primus — ‘Hole in de Victoria Park.

Performing before what was, once again, the largest single It may have been a case of ‘not enough body Problem Child’ is said to have had perhaps his road’; James ‘ Jamesy P’ Morgan — ‘Bang Dem’; Shaunelle Mc Kenzie — Soca Goddess; wear’, why ‘Skinny Fabulous’ could not ward off best performance to date on a Vincentian attendance at any Carnival show at Victoria Park for Vincy Mas, Lornette ‘ Fya Empress’ Nedd-Reid — ‘Slap stage.

‘Fireman’ disposed of defending monarch, Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ the attack by ‘Fireman’. way’; Orlando ‘Syxx Krazii’ Foster with ‘It’s Doyle, with what one soca fanatic described as “consummate ease,” Carnival; Kurthe ‘Fresh Kydd’ Patterson — on his way to claiming the title for the eighth time, including hattricks blaring from a loud speaker specially erected by his fans.

‘Ride it’; Tamisha Nicholls — ‘Doh mash up’; Hance John — ‘Wild and Fire Man began his presentation with a video clip that featured a in 1999 — 2001 and 2005 — 2007.

Crazy’; Ryan ‘Royal’ Abraham — ‘Youngest and de Baddest’; Keith modified version of American Civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther The uproar that greeted the stage side announcement that it was Currency — ‘Trouble’; and Shane ‘Shaney Hypez’ Husband — ‘You feel King’s famous ‘I have a dream’ speech. time for ‘Fireman’ to perform, was indicative of a sense that a change you bad’.

In the audio a voice proclaimed: “I have a dream that one day soca was in the air. The crowd seemed to want it as much as he did. monarch would rise up from the injustice to artistes and their music The chants of ‘Unruly’, the title of his entry, could also be heard

Fireman reclaims Ragga Title

Fireman’ called his Rum meeting to order and left all other contenders intoxicated.

Story by KENVILLE HORNE Photos by ORIS ROBINSON

‘Fya Empress’ made a determined effort to defend, but couldn’t resist the intoxicating fumes of the Rum meeting.

vociferous cheers, indecipherable chants and gesticulations of support.

DELROY ‘FIREMAN’ HOOPER Dressed in black to contrast with turned the Ragga Soca Monarch his accompanying dancers in white, finals, Saturday 5th July, at Victoria Park into a ‘Rum Meeting’, ‘Fireman’ delivered his (rum) ‘servings’ in just the right amounts, and made sure that the executive officers (judges) and floor memberS to cause an overwhelming cacophony of applause when the (the thousands in attendance) last note was struck. agreed, unanimously, that he was In the process, ‘Fireman’ left the 2014 Ragga Soca Monarch. defending monarch Lornette ‘Fya In the process, he reclaimed a Empress’ Nedd-Reid in second title that he had last won in 2010. place. Her performance of ‘Fire “Fireman’ delivered his ‘Rum meets Ice’ spoke of a determined Meeting’ with clarity and effort to retain her title and remain consistency, amidst the ongoing in that realm.

Third place was taken by the ever -improving Travis ‘Whiz Skid’ Lynch with ‘Fettologist’.

Starlift delivered with a sense of purpose; a This was his best showing to purpose of unseating defending Champions date in local soca competitions.

Sion Hill. The players’ cheers and Former monarch, Shernelle gesticulations as they left the stage spoke to ‘Skarpyon’ Williams, singing a feeling of satisfaction.

‘Raw Curry’, seemed not to The youthful Vita Malt Symphonix Steel have ‘cooked his curry enough’ Orchestra, playing Winston Soso’s ‘Ah Don’t to warrant a place in the top Care’, arranged by Jomoro Francis, three. maintained the energy and anxiety.

They Also competing were: Mikey continued to sound an improved orchestra ‘Vincy Marshall’ Mc Dowall as they handled more intricate singing ‘Faith’; Montgomery arrangements.

‘Demus’ La Borde with ‘No Senior panorama debutants The Port drinking problem’; Johnny South East seems to have set themselves on a Concentration was the word for these Authority Genesis Steel Orchestra, playing The expression on the face of this player from Sion ‘Johnny Rebel’ Hall, with course that would lead to a changing of the guard Starlift Steel Orchestra players, but a Delano Bristol’s arrangement of ‘Thunder’; Keith Currency who in Panorama supremacy in SVG. Hill Euphonium Steel orchestra says how confident they will have to match that with performed ‘Piece ah this’; Scorcher’s ‘Party Fever’, sounded like a new their players were in delivery improved skill and infectious ‘Ah Bussing It’, as arranged by Seion Gomez, Hance John doing ‘Wasted’; and band. They will take back the experience to arrangement if they are to reclaim their Shaunelle Mc Kenzie with contention with their fluent chord movements and who seemss to have extended his players to their pan yard. place of glory.

‘Champion’. key changes, their beautifully executed crescendos skillfully produce harmonies and venture into The Elite Steel Orchestra, in the competition reaches they had never before dared to attempt.

Making a guest appearance Champions.

Sea Operations Starlift found and skillful diminuendos.

They worked the for a number of years, gave an energetic rendition was Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus, the Their unity of purpose and the enjoyment they themselves edged out, making way for Scotia competition! of ‘Man Can’t Tek Butt’, by Touch, arranged by foremost cultural ambassador showed for what they were doing, came through Bank South East Steel Orchestra in 2nd place.

From note one, Sion Hill Steel Orchestra gave Kesslon ‘Tafa’ Wilson. of this country. He didn’t forcefully.

They played their pans!

They had to settle for 3rd place. indication that theirs was going to be a Scotia Bank South East Steel Orchestra, disappoint. Belting out a The judges settled the matter. For the sixth The rumble will continue. rendering Becket’s ‘Ooh La La’ arranged by Barry harmonized, rhythmic presentation. They carried number of his classics, year in a row, the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel that throughout their rendition of Ron Pompey’s Mannette, pushed themselves into serious including the internationally Orchestra had done it: 2014 Panorama

Whiz Skid’ showed remarkable improvement, but he could not remove Fireman as chairman of the ‘Rum meeting’.

Sion Hill’s Six Is A Record SION HILL EUPHONIUM STEEL ORCHESTRA has achieved what no other steel orchestra in SVG had done before: They recorded a sixth consecutive victory in the Senior Panorama.

Part of the Steel and Glitter show on Thursday, 3rd July, the Senior Panorama set its own requirement of excellence in arrangement, general performance, tone and rhythm, and the eight steel orchestras in competition satisfied the demands, albeit some to greater degrees of satisfaction than others.

The Potential Steel Orchestra was first to face the judges. They put on a riveting performance of Touch’s ‘Loving Can’t Done’. The Johnny “JP” Pompey arrangement instantly raised the bar for the competition.

The Georgetown All Stars followed with Becket’s ‘No Screws’, arranged by ranger Tillal Webb, and gave a good account of themselves, indicating that they had really come to compete.

Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra heightened the anticipation. From the first strike of rubber on steel, a certain euphoria seemed to engulf the night’s air. Playing a Ricky Robley’s arrangement of ‘Carnival fever’ by the Rebels,

‘Becket’ warmed tUP the predominantly young audience, and also intoxicated them with a soca brand that has stood the test of time. acclaimed ‘Teaser’ and the perennial favourite ‘Small Pin’, ‘Becket’ moved the audience into a frenzy, remarkably so given that many of the thousands of patrons might not have been born when he made his entry into the calypso arena in 1975.

The Ragga Soca Monarch finals and ‘Becket’s’ performance were a fitting introduction to the Power Soca Monarch finals held that same evening.

16. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V ÂGratitudeÊ keeping Vincentian culture alive

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 17.

News

by HAYDN HUGGINS SOME 32 years after leaving these shores, the New York-based Vincentian group, ‘Gratitude’, continues to promote Vincentian culture and heritage, despite the challenges.

“We still keeping the work going, still experimenting with our own music.

“The situation is always challenging. It’s not who you are, is who you know for connection to give you that break in the music business,” the group’s lead singer, Dolwin ‘IE’ Knights, told THE VINCENTIAN during an interview last Friday, July 4.

‘IE’ explained that the group’s main objectives are to promote the culture and heritage of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean, and to re-connect with the Garifuna people who were exiled from this country many years ago.

‘IE’ underscored that the group paid tribute to Garifuna Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer in song years ago before this country even dreamt of declaring him its first national hero.

He noted that the song was written by his brother, Kent Knights, and was first sung by Selta Matthews at a local show called ‘Music Nature’. It was later recorded by ‘Gratitude’.

The group, whose publishing firm is called ‘Chatoyer Music Corporation Publishing’, and records under the label ‘Kalinago Records’, repeated a Chatoyer concert on June 14 this year in the United States, which it had first staged about three years ago, to recognize and pay tribute to Chatoyer.

The genesis of Gratitude ‘IE’, who is here on vacation, said his visit was not just about the Carnival festivities, but to re-connect with his people, as well as to enjoy the atmosphere and fresh fruits.

The Paul’s Avenue man is also using the opportunity to promote the group’s recent CD, featuring the tracks ‘Punta Rock’ and ‘Energy’, both written by Kent Knights and arranged

by Frankie McIntosh, Daneth Dopwell and Kent.

‘Gratitude’s’ original name was ‘The Slum Mates’, as all its members

L-R) Joslyn ‘Sly’ Ash, Dolwin ‘IE’ Knights and Chester Simmons formed the vocal arm of the group ‘Gratitude’. resided at Paul’s Avenue, commonly called ‘The Slum’.

The group included Joslyn ‘Sly’ Ash, Chester Simmons and the Knights brothers ‘IE’, Kent and Tyrone.

Chester, who migrated to the United States in 1982, along with Dolwin ‘IE’ Knights, foundation member of ‘Sly’, Kent and ‘IE’, died in a the group ‘Gratitude’, says the group vehicular accident in Colorado in remains steadfast in its effort to promote the 1990s, while Tyrone, also the Garifuna culture. known as ‘Blow Way’, died here a few years ago. calypsonians, and experimenting with ‘The Slum Mates’, formed in the cross-over calypso/soca, and eventually early 1970s, were inspired by North developed their own style. They toured American soul singers and groups of the country with the now defunct that era, including The Temptations, Local Entertainment Association OJ’s, Commodores and Stylistics.

(LEA), led by ‘IE’s’ brother Robert Their first performance, according ‘Patches’ King-Knights, and performed to ‘IE’, was for an event at the St. in several communities with the band Joseph’s Convent, Kingstown, for Fort Charlotte Redemption, led by which they were paid $4. They would calypsonian and musician, Kenneth hang out in the yard of the nearby ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne, before Bishop’s College, Kingstown at nights, starting their own shows which where they would practise vocal included Music Nature, Soul Research, harmonies.

Soul From the Slum and We De “Sometimes other guys from ‘The People.

Slum’ (Paul’s Avenue) used to laugh at Efforts to do their first recording in us when they saw us there singing the late 1970s with the Barbadian without music,” ‘IE’ said. group ‘The Merry Men’, failed. Their ‘The Slum Mates’, formed out of first official recording came later with those practice sessions, went on to the song ‘Arwee Volcano’, done at become a regular feature on the Eddie Grant’s Studio in England. entertainment circuit in SVG. They That resulted from a visit to sang at several local shows including England, made possible by the then St. ‘Firestick I’ and ‘Firestick 2’, produced Vincent Labour Party (SVLP)

by Cameron ‘Cammie’ King, then head Government, as part of a cultural of the Extra-Mural arm of the UWI, contingent to raise funds for persons now the UWI School of Continuing who had to be evacuated as a result of Studies. the 1979 eruption of the La Soufriere volcano.

Broadening their range The group had by then changed its name to ‘Gratitude’, and would However, realizing they also had to continue recording, including the do some Caribbean music, the group popular ‘Koreen’, when its members began providing back vocals for migrated to the United States.

V

18. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Carnival

Miss Dominica was consistent

by KENVILLE HORNE

The title of Miss Carival, has gone, once again, to the isle of rivers, the nature island, Dominica.

Leslassa ArmourShillingford, Miss Carival 2013, must have taken extra pride in placing the crown on the 2014 winner, Francine Baron.

Following her victory, Francine spoke with THE VINCENTIAN. According to the 20year-old who enjoys surfing the web, and who graduated from one of the most prestigious high schools in Dominica, the Convent High School, she was informed that winning the Miss Carival title did not depend on how many categories of judging a contestant won, but rather on how many points a person had at the end of the competition.

“Therefore, when I heard that, I knew consistency was required.

So, I said Ok consistency is the game, you have to be really good in almost all (categories) to succeed.”

She added, “I think maybe some people did better in certain rounds, but as long as you were consistent, it will always pay off.”

In fact, Francine won only one category of judging, Swimwear.

Leading up to her participation in the 2014 Miss Carival Show, Francine was a contestant in the Miss Dominica Pageant and the PJD2 Caribbean Queen Pageant.

She recalled how depressed she was after failing to place in the Caribbean Queen Pageant, and spoke about how she began to “look deep” into herself,

and was able to overcome the disappointment.

This lesson she feels is valuable to persons who fall into periods of despair.

And the Miss Carival pre-show period almost threw up a repeat of this experience, when she fell ill.

“In the motorcade, I got wet, and I got the flu.

I was really, really nervous, because I knew I had to sing. But on the night when I sang my song, I said ok, you could do everything else because you did the most difficult one.”

Francine’s victory means that Dominica will try once again (i.e.

2015) to achieve the first hat trick in the Miss Carival Show. They failed to do so after victories in 2006 and 2007.

Francine hopes that her country’s participant

Miss Carival 2014 (SITTING) and her fellow contestants, a bevy of beauties. in the 2015 will not feel pressured as the country goes in search of that the hat trick.

She committed herself to assist whoever represents Dominica, and offered some advice to that person, saying, “As long as you put your best foot forward, you are a winner in my eyes and the Dominican public”, which seems to be good advice all round.

As far as the competition was concerned, Kaeve Armstrong, Miss St. Kitts-Nevis, was adjudged the 1st runner up, with wins in the

Talent and Interview categories.

Raynell Carroll, Miss Antigua and Barbuda, with the Best Evening Wear title to boost her, was acclaimed 2nd Runner-up.

The other contestants were: Miss Barbados – Zhane Padmore; Miss Guyana – Kiswana Jefford; Miss Jamaica – Danielle Black; Miss Martinique – Alexandra Chastel; Miss St. Lucia – Amy Stephen; Miss Venezuela – Genesis Valera Seijas, and Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines — Shadeisha George.

Francine Baron singing her way to the 2014 Miss Carival title.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 19.

News

Six more graduate from Richmond Vale Academy

by KENVILLE HORNE SIX VINCENTIANS are the most recent graduates of the Richmond Vale Academy (RVA).

The six who graduated after successfully completing a one-month course in Climate Compliance were: Lysia Williams of Rose Hall; Fiona Westfield of Chateaubelair; Rhys Cain of Calliaqua; Benjamin Crichton of Georgetown, Nerissa Francois of Rose Bank,; and Edwin Son-J Johnson from Kingstown.

Kata Lovassy, one of the Course lecturers, explained that the course work included studies on Global Warming, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Organic Gardening and different approaches to Agriculture. The students were also involved in study trips which took them to historical sites and agricultural farms.

The Graduates and two staff members (left) of the RVA. Included are Benjamin Crichton (left back) and Edwin Son-J Johnson (right back).

everything is connected, we are part of a system.

I realize that in mankind’s race for prosperity, we have been destroying different elements of this system, and so we have to stop, and start taking care of the earth if we want to continue to sustain clean water, food and air,” said Johnson.

Benjamin Crichton, a farmer and the eldest of the group of graduates, described the course as “a great experience.”

Noting that the world’s weather pattern has changed, Crichton said the information they obtained during their course of studies would help in preparing them to face up to the challenges of this change.

He welcomed the initiative taken by the Academy, and expressed The students get themselves involved in preparing a hope that ‘more soil for nurturing the Moringa plant.

Course sessions were deliberately interactive.

Edwin Son-J Johnson, a herbalist, admitted that the group learned “a lot of new things at the Academy, but the most impacting was learning how everything connected”.

“The chain is as strong as its weakest link , and the environment, life, nature, this earth,

Sailor shot to death the perpetrator had followed him in another vehicle.

THE PARENTS of a 36-year-old sailor Head of the Criminal Investigation of Rivulet, who was shot to death last Department (CID) Assistant Saturday, July 5, just wanted to be Superintendent of Police Sydney left alone when THE VINCENTIAN James told reporters on Wednesday, visited their home on Tuesday. there were nine bullet holes in the “We are in no condition to give any vehicle. information. We are still trying to At press time Wednesday, police come to grips with our son’s death. We were continuing their investigations. just want to be left alone,” Kevin Police were also investigating the Greaves’s father told THE death of Hyacinth Hoyte, a 65-yearVINCENTIAN. His mother expressed old domestic of Paget Farm, Bequia. similar sentiments.

Hoyte died after being stabbed with Reports are that Greaves was shot a cutlass during an incident at Paget multiple times around 10:20 p.m.

Farm, around 11:45 p.m last while sitting in his vehicle at Saturday.

Kingstown Park. It is believed that

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Vincentians would, become involved,” since the issues addressed “involve everybody.”

The graduates pursued the Course on full scholarship from the Richmond Vale Academy.

V

20. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Deal with the sex issue now engaging in that activity, which is the missionary position. She holds the view that sex was created for humans MY GIRLFRIEND and I are madly in love to have babies, and a whole host of with each other, and we are hoping to get married soon. However, there is one other weird ideology.

Although I love her dearly, there is problem. She is not interested in oral no way I can marry her with this kind sex in any shape or form. of twisted outlook on something so We have never engaged in any sexual activities thus far, but we have important. We have not had premarital sex because she thinks it is had discussions on the subject. I am best to wait until marriage, with having problems with her stance on the issue where she does not believe in which I have no problem. But on the sex issue, I beg to differ. oral sex, and also believes that only Should I tell her my position now, one position must be assumed when

Dear George,

Don’t get lost in the past Dear George,

Surprise Surprise!

MY GIRLFRIEND and I discussed our Dear Surprise Surprise, past relationships, and it shocked me when she told me that she has had twenty-three boyfriends before meeting me. She is just 27 years old, and to have so many boyfriends is very troubling to me. Although I wanted to be her first, I was willing to settle for a much lower figure, like under five at least, but not twentythree!

To be honest, George, it is affecting me psychologically. I cannot get it out of my head. I want to make it an issue with her, but do not know how to let her know that I cannot deal with that information. I am a man, and I only had eleven women before her, and here she is, a woman, with twenty-three men in her life, with me making twenty-four. What should I do now?

It is always a wise thing not to dwell on the past, and while it is admirable that both of you can have a frank discussion on what WAS, some information can have a negative impact.

According to you, she has been with 23 men, and you with 11 women. The only difference I see here is that it took her a little longer to find Mr. Right, than it took for you to find Miss. Right.

Put this aside and focus on what is good and loving about each other, and be glad that you have found each other. This attitude is what is needed for you to keep seeing the beauty in each other.

George

or wait until we go for our marriage counseling sessions? I am thinking that maybe by that time her position might change. This is one area where we are completely opposite.

both of you, during which both of you can present your points of view towards arriving at a workable arrangement. The time to do that is now, and it might work better for you D-Press both if you get a qualified person to sit with you during the discussion.

Dear D-Press, For a relation to flourish, the element of compromise must be Although love is the best basis on present, and in your case, it seems which to build any relationship, one that compromise will have to be the must never downplay the importance watchword if you are to move forward of sexual compatibility. Opposing views on the subject can cause a rift in to the next level. the relationship. It is essential that there be a candid discussion involving George

Could be menopause Dear George,

she left me?

WE HAVE been married for 30 years and my wife and I have had a pretty sound marriage so far. Recently, I observed that my wife is not the same person. She has become the ‘complaining type’. Everything is a problem for her, and sometimes she would say the meanest of things to me. It is as though I am living with a total stranger.

I have been putting up with this for a few months now. Truthfully, I do not know if I can continue to put up with her behaviour. I talked to her about it and she said to me that if I cannot deal with it, then I am free to leave. Sometimes she would just burst out and start crying, and this really gets to me.

To be honest, I find myself easing away from her, and I know that it is only a matter of time before our marriage falls apart. I do not want that to happen, but what choice has

Fed up Dear Fed up, This might come as a shock, but it is worth checking out. Your wife could be experiencing menopause. Based on what you have described, I am suggesting to you that it is highly possible. If that is the case, then you will need to read up on the subject, and get to know the supporting role you need to play, in order to get your marriage past this point.

I suggest that you let her know that you suspect that she might be going through this stage, and you need for her to accompany you to see someone, so that you can get to know more about the role you have to play to support her. This non-judgemental approach will make it easier for her to more willingly seek help.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)

Take a second look; difficulties with appliances, water, or electricity in your home may be evident. You can offer your mate a commitment or promise that will help stabilize your personal life. Develop some of your good ideas.

You will have the discipline to make changes you feel are necessary. You will have to face each issue separately and in person.

Anger might lead to carelessness and minor Injuries. You can make amends by taking them somewhere special.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

You should be making plans to spend some time with the ones you love. Your personal life will be under the gun and you may want to avoid the questions your lover is going to want to ask you. Your fun loving approach will be admired and appreciated by others.

Do not invest in ventures that only appear to be lucrative. You can make a big difference to children if you are understanding of the difficulties they are experiencing. If you’re looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)

You can make drastic changes in your professional direction this week. Be aware of any emotional deception. Do not sign legal contracts or documents this week. You’ll be able to break bad habits if you put your mind to it.

You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm.

You can enhance your reputation by making contributions to worthwhile causes. Someone left a real mess for you to sift through.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Consider the source before you believe what you hear. If they don’t like the plan, suggest that they con tribute a little. Sudden changes regarding work and colleagues are apparent. You can win points with children if you take the time to show interest in their accomplishments.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You may want to pull out some of those unfinished project you’ve got tucked away.

Show what a dedicated person you can be.

You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Do your own thing, you need time to yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Lovers will be demanding. You are best to sign your partner up for activities that will be tiring. You will feel tired and rundown if you have allowed yourself to get into a financial mess. You won’t be well received by superiors or by your spouse.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You will be able to work with fine detail this week. You may end up being blamed if anything goes wrong. Changes at home might come fast and furious. Organizations may cost you more than you can afford.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You may meet that special person if you attend fundraising functions. Don’t even bother trying to get their approval on the things you want to do. Limitations will set in if you haven’t followed the rules. Acknowledge your lover’s needs.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Try not to spend too much on children or entertainment. Refrain from overspending on entertainment or luxury items. Your trendy style and unique way of doing things will entice new acquaintances. Lay your cards on the table regarding your personal direction.

ACROSS 1. Ace 4. Malaysia’s continent 8. Chem.

Classroom 11. German “one” 12. Dips out water 14. Subside 15. Options 18. Johnny __ 19. Certain poem 20. Auto owner’s expense 22. FBI employee (abbr.)

24. Pounds (abbr.)

27. “__ Gang” 28. Ike’s theatre 29. One from another planet 31. Diarist Anais 32. Bible verb 34. Edison’s monogram 35. Privileged class 37. River barrier 38. School course (abbr.)

39. Narc’s org.

40. New York time (abbr.)

41. Pluralizing letter

42. Rotten fellow 44. Skirt bottom 46. Fleetcenter team (2 wds.)

53. “Tell __ story” (2 wds.)

54. Bears’ homes 55. Biography, for short 56. Twisted 57. Home run hitter Sammy 58. Like Carroll’s Hatter 17. Reveal 20. Artisan’s DOWN organization 1. Energy 21. PGA 2. __ de Janeiro nickname 3. Switch 23. Provokes settings 25. Stings 4. Irish Rose’s 26. Connery beau and 5. Saturday, for O’Casey Jews 27. Individual 6. Clockface 28. Compass numeral dir.

7. Mete out 29. Banking 8. Oahu machine garland (abbr.)

9. Pres. Lincoln 30. Not posi10. Air-rifle tive (abbr.) ammo 33. Soaps up 13. Comedian 36. Social Caesar finesse 16. Last-year 40. Ferber et students al. (abbr.)

41. Rescue worker (abbr.)

43. IM provider 45. Movie lioness 46. Mercedes competitor (abbr.)

47. Above, anthem-

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 21.

style 48. Verbalize 49. AFL’s partner 50. Laptop maker (abbr.)

51. Undercover gp.

52. Turf

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22. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 23.

Grenada: Windwards Under 19 Champions champions St Lucia at Arnos Vale One, while Grenada took first innings points over Dominica in a high scoring match at Arnos Vale Two. At Arnos Vale One, St Lucia made 160 in their first innings, Dornan Edwards hitting a Kishore Shallow, President of the SVG high score of 29 and Cricket Association (right front) presents Othneil Lewis and the champions trophy to the captain of Kamala Williams the Grenada U19 team. taking 2 wickets each.

They stood tall on 29 points, Kershaskie Jno Lewis struck SVG replied with 156, with followed by St. Lucia on 21, a scintillating 163 not out to host SVG on 18 and Dominica Captain Anson Latchman. help Dominica record the played a captain’s innings bottom with 4. highest innings score in the with a top score of 56. Dorian In the final round of tournament..

Edwards and Selwyb Boyce matches to determine the GRENADA ARE THE 2014 Under tournament’s champions, SVG took 3 for 29 and 3 for 24 19 cricket champions of the came from behind to pull off a respectively.

St Lucia made 99 batting a Windward Islands.

3-wicket win over defending second time. SVG, set 103 for

victory, reached 105 for 7.

At Arnos Vale Two, Grenada took first innings points against Dominica.

Dominica made 95 in their first innings. Josiah Hilton top scored with 33. Deron Hypolyte took 4 for 24 and Daniel McDonald 3 for 22.

Grenada replied with 181.

Graig Phillips led with 35.

Kharmal Hamilton bagged 5 for 55 and Josiah Hilton 4 for 68.

Dominica, facing a deficit of 87, reached 291, the highest total of the tournament, being 45 for 6 at one point.

Kershaskie Jno Lewis led the batting with a stroke filled 163 not out. Grenada, set a target of 204 reached 186 for 7 when play ended. Chad Charles hit 51 not out, Kharmal Hamilton taking 2 for 49.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Four Vincies in Windwards U19 Team

ÂWindwards possess Quality, TalentÊ improve significantly on their performance in the recent Windwards Under 19 tournament, for this to happen.

‘The batsmen clearly underperformed, no two ways about it. The conditions were not so difficult for them to have scored runs. They were below par, but I expect to see better performances in Guyana,” John, a former Windwards U19 opener, said.

He said that it was puzzling to see that the only century in the tournament came from the bat of a bowler in Dominica Left-arm seamer Kershakie Jno Obed McCoy has Lewis, who made impressed, and much 163. is expected of him.

John identified

by E. GLENFORD SVG’s opener PRESCOTT Selector Lance Gidron Pope as a John has high player with vast WINDWARD ISLANDS hopes for the potential and selector, Lance John, Windwards in the ability, but felt believes that the upcoming West that his focus Windwards Islands U19 Indies U19 cricket needs to be team has the potential tournament. addressed. and the talent to do “He is well in the upcoming West undoubtedly a talented Indies Under 19 cricket batsmen, but he seemed at tournament scheduled for times not to be fully focussed Guyana from the 20th July to on the job at hand, and if this 16th August 2014. continues, it will mean that John, however, recognizes difference between him being that the batsmen must a good club cricketer and one

with the ability to play regionally and internationally”, John contended.

Pope, who holds the record for the highest individual score in primary schools cricket after smashing 248 this year for Mountain View Academy, has shown glimpses of his talent with the bat in the local senior competition.

But reports say that he has lacked the level of consistency required to draw eyes in his direction.

Pope has been able to make up for his dearth of runs by taking wickets from his offspin bowling. In fact, he was the leading wickettaker in the Windwards tournament, with 19 scalps, something that John feels will serve the Windwards team in good stead.

“It is always good to see batsmen not only able to bowl, but doing so at a level to pick up wickets. This should help the Windwards,” he suggested.

John was also impressed with both SVG’s left-arm pacer Obed McCoy, who he expects to bring some variety, and Grenada’s off-spinner Deron Hypolite for his steady line and consistency.

(See accompanying story on this page for more).

Gideon Pope took the award for the most wickets.

The four Vincentians selected to the 14-man squad (L-R front) Shannan Hooper, Gidron Pope, Anson Latchman and Romana Pierre.

Reserve Obid McCoy is also pictured at the back.

FOUR VINCENTIANS have been named in the 14man Windward Islands team to take part in the West Indies Under 19 tournament, scheduled for Guyana later this month.

The four Vincentians are left hand opening batsman Gidron Pope, wicket keeper/batsman Anson Latchman, all-rounder Shannan Hooper and left arm fast bowler Obed Mc Coy. The team was selected following the conclusion of the Windward Islands Under 19 tournament which was hosted

by St Vincent and the Grenadines and in which Grenada emerged champions.

The team will be led by Grenadian Roland Cato, with Dominican Kershaskie JnoLewis as his deputy, and in addition to the four Vincentians, includes Ryan John, Sherman Lewis, Melvin Gordon, Deron Hypolite and Graig Phillips from Grenada; Kharmal Hamilton, Dominica; and Tonis Simon, Dornan

Edwards of St Lucia; Four reserves were also announced. They are Kevil Charles of Grenada, Josiah Hamilton of Dominica, Shadrack Decrates of St Lucia and Romano Pierre from SVG. During the presentation following the final round of matches, several awards were handed out to outstanding individuals. These included awards to Deron Hypolite, Kharmal Hamilton, Gidron Pope and Kester Charlemagne, each of whom copped the MVP award for their countries, Grenada, Dominica, SVG and St Lucia respectively.

Kershaskie Jno Lewis of Dominica was recognized as the tournament’s highest rungetter with 232, including the lone century, 163, in the tournament.

Gidron Pope of SVG, known more for his batting, captured the most wickets, 19.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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24. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

ÂFatmanÊ comes down heavy on selectors

for the tournaments, but Skerritt, a talented but temperamental top order batsman, was not among those named.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines are reigning champions Team Rivals Manager, of both tournaments.

Carlos Veira.

Veira, known as one who never

by E. GLENFORD minces his words, PRESCOTT indicated his disappointment within CARLOS VEIRA, Manager minutes of the names of Rivals, several times being released, local cricket champions, is requesting by way of extremely unhappy that email to the SVGCA as one of his charges, Harley to the reason why the Skerritt, has been player was not included. overlooked by local “Where is Harley selectors for the training Skerritt…. why is he still squad for the upcoming paying for a crime he Windward Islands two-day committed over seven and T20 tournaments, years ago”, Veira wrote, scheduled for St. Lucia in referring to an incident September. of ill-discipline said to be The St. Vincent and committed by Skerritt on the Grenadines Cricket his first outing with the Association —SVGCA - on national senior team in Wednesday, released a St. Lucia in 2007.

37-man training squad

Veira told THE VINCENTIAN that Skerritt had already paid his dues, and if that was the reason for not selecting him, it was gross injustice.

“As far as I am concerned, the matter on which they dealt with Skerritt in the first place was not properly handled. It was an assumption, and he made a mistake by not getting someone to support him……but that wasn’t done. Are you going to continue to use that to punish him?” a visibly angry Veira asked.

According to him, other people have done worse than Skerritt and found no difficulty in getting selected, but it appears that there are different rules for different players. He said that he will be taking up the matter with the executive in an official

way.

Veira then laid out a series of incidents between the SVGCA selectors and Skerritt which have put him in bad light purely, according to him, Elvis Browne, because of spite.

Harley Skerritt showing off trophies Chairman of “He was called for won as a top young cricketer. selectors. trials but had to work with players if welcomed, and this can a container and arrived you want them to have a serious effect on at the training late. people”.

They were on his case as change. “….I can tell you he is Veira was also critical soon as he hurting; he is getting the of the selectors, led by arrived…….they never impression that no one Elvis Browne, for naming even stop to think that wants him around. He is some players, who he the guy has to make a living. Other times they still in his twenties with sees as still some way off from getting a national put him to bat at number plenty of cricket left in him, but he is not call up. seven, in those trial matches. Harley is a top order player and technically one of our best players in this country, and it is not fair to treat him like this,” Veira pointed out, still seething.

He admitted that Skerritt at times can be a difficult person but there are ways to deal

Squash Players off to Caribbean Championship FOUR MEMBERS of the SVG Squash Association Junior team left St. Vincent on Wednesday 9thJuly, 2014, with coach James Bentick and manager Ms. Tessa ShallowKing, for Bermuda, where they will participate in the XXXII Junior Caribbean Area Squash tournament, from the 11th 19th July, 2014.

The four selected are Kai Bentick, Jason Doyle, Thandi Myers and Deiriai Myers.

Kai Bentick is the National and OECS Under 13 & 15 champions and is ranked N0.2 in the Caribbean for Under 13 boys.

Jason Doyle, who was a former Under 13 Caribbean Champ, is currently ranked N0.2 in the Under 17 Caribbean age group. He is the National and OECS Under 17 & 19 champions and will be hoping to secure a spot in the finals.

Thandi Myers, the National and OECS Under 15 & 17 Champions, will compete in the Under 17 category for the first time and is ranked 5 and 8 respectively in those divisions. She expects to break into the top 4.

The Vincentian contingent who are currently in Deiriai Myers, National runner-up Under 17 and Bermuda competing in the XXXII Junior Caribbean Champion Under 19, was runner-up in OECS Area Squash tournament.

Under 17 category, will be competing in the Under 17 age category and also expects to make the top 4.

The Vincentian contingent participation is made The four will be joined by their OECS teammates possible through the support of the National Andre Segovia (SLU), Kerstin Gordon and Abiyomi Lotteries Authority.

Maddox (BVI).

Shne Joachim (right) pictured with coach Kyle Dougan, continues to rake in the medals against top swimmers from the Caribbean.

Shne Joachim Medals again SHNE JOACHIM continues to compete successfully against top swimmers from the region.

Competing in the twentieth biennial Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships (CISC) held in Barbados from June 26th to July 7th, Joachim struck silver and bronze in the 50 Metre Breaststroke and 100 Metre Breaststroke respectively. She was accompanied by coach Kyle Dougan.

The CICS event featured over 270 of the best swimmers in the entire Caribbean, and was an official Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games qualifier.

The CISC is the next competitive level above Carifta.

Meanwhile, the SVG Swimming Federation confirmed that a team will compete in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, later in July. The team forms part of the SVG national team.

The swim team comprises Storm Halbich, Nikolas Sylvester, Dillon Gooding, Shane Cadogan, Adora Lawrence and Shne Joachim. Kyle Dougan will be the coach.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 25.

Sports

Germany or Argentina

IT’S DOWN to a European/South American showdown, but not what the host country was anticipating. How well Brazil can recover from last Tuesday’s mauling at the hands (feet) of the rampaging Germans is left to be seen. Germany plundered Brazil 7: 1.

How that drama unfolded will be something the pundits will reflect on.

Some people couldn’t believe, and those who heard about it are still trying to convince themselves that they are being fed false information.

The execution was swift and clinical, for in the space of nineteen minutes, it was all but over.

That Brazil somewhat rallied from the debacle of the first 29 minutes was hope that something might have been saved. But Germany was in no generous mood, and duly found goals numbers six and seven before Brazil converted in the dying moments of the encounter.

That game perhaps signalled enough goals for the semis, and it was ironic that after 120 minutes in the other semi-final, there was nothing in the goals column.

It boiled down to penalty kicks, and it was the Netherlands who faltered. The Argentinian custodian made two vital saves and his teammates scored all their efforts.

Given the rivalry between Argentina and Brazil,

Argentina’s presence in the final on Brazilian soil is a bitter pill for Brazil to swallow. As much as there might be some sense of solidarity, one doesn’t think that Argentina will garner the overwhelming support of the host nation.

But it might be a sense of satisfaction to see a team that caused Brazil such embarrassment is denied the final glory.

In any event, it will be a lost cause for the Brazilians. In the first place, Brazil will have to rebound to ensure that they take the third place.

The Argentinians will drive home the derision if they halt the Germans.

At least, Argentina will be better prepared than the Brazilians when they face Germany. They will know that the Germans must not be allowed any space to manoeuvre. And that they can’t afford to be complacent.

Germany will know that it is a new game, and a different scenario will be in the making. If they can repeat the dosage, they will go down as all conquerors.

The sceptics in Brazil will be buoyed in their argument that having expended such vast sums on an event which caused so much social disruption, brought little to boost their national pride.

They put on a good show nevertheless and, despite having not qualified for the final, the World Cup

event was entertaining. There were goals aplenty, including the humiliation in the first semi-final.

Everyone who witnessed that match will remember where they were that fateful day. For the cultural loving Vincentians, it was a choice of carnival celebrations or football.

Police reports are that this was one of the most peaceful festivals in recent times. How much the staging of the World Cup games might have contributed to the decline is a matter the sociologists will work out.

Brazil’s defeat might be cause for the host country to reassess their strategy.

There seems to be some undying shades of disagreement within the Brazilian composition. The drubbing might be an opportune time for Brazil to go back to the drawing board and come up with a formula where they must adopt to present day reality and produce the kind of football that matters in today’s context.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT ON THE SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

26. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014. 27.

Classifieds

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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

S A L E

FRIDAY,

JULY 11, 2014

VOLUME 108, No. 28

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‘EG’ PASSES ON

by KENVILLE HORNE POPULAR opposition talk show host, Elwardo ‘EG’ Lynch, has died.

Lynch passed away on Wednesday, July 9, at the Garden of Eden Senior Citizens Home at Dorsetshire Hill, where he was interned since a series of strokes, including one suffered while on the job, and system malfunctions confined him to bed. He was 67 at the time of his death.

‘EG’, as he was affectionately known, established himself as an outspoken and hard-hitting commentator on behalf of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP). He had been, before he found a niche in talk radio, a restaurateur and night club operator.

With little or no experience in radio, Lynch plunged head first into hosting the NDP’s five-days-a week interactive programme, New Times, on Nice Radio, and before too long, had developed the show into this country’s most listened to programme of that nature.

Lynch made national headlines when he and Nice Radio Proprietors were sued by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, after he (Lynch) made on air comments to the effect that the Prime Minister had paid for a visit to Rome for himself and his family, with public funds.

The Prime Minister was awarded $206,000 in damages.

The money was paid with support from the public.

Tributes

Leader of the Opposition NDP, Arnhim Eustace, speaking on Nice Radio, on Wednesday, expressed his party’s deepest sympathy on the passing of a stalwart of the party.

Eustace described Lynch as “a transforming figure” in the NDP, and a person who understood and could give a message.

The Opposition Leader also spoke about Lynch’s condition during his illness. He said that in the last seven to eight months of his life, he had lost his voice, and on many occasions he could not respond to his visitors.

“You could go into that room, and there was no exchange.

Sometimes I would get his recognition, other times I would not,” said Eustace. “I’ll look at him, all the time looking for some sign of understanding, especially in the last two months …., but from the time he lost his speech, which is about seven to eight months ago, it became that much more difficult,” explained Eustace.

Eustace commended the Garden of Eden Senior Citizens Home for the treatment and care extended to Lynch, especially during his last days.

Manager at Nice Radio, Douglas De Freitas, commenting on Lynch’s death, said that the man, known for the famous line, “Ladies and gentlemen, that is how it is in St. Vincent and the Grenadines”, has made a contribution to the political landscape in SVG. De Freitas said that, even

though Lynch was not part of his permanent staff, since he was employed by the New Democratic Party (NDP), he would be greatly missed by the staff, and many Vincentians. “Even though persons did not agree with some of his comments, he was well loved,” De Freitas assured THE VINCENTIAN. Commenting on the situation where his radio station and Lynch were sued by the Prime Minister for defamation, the Nice Radio boss said that Lynch was quite saddened by the situation, “…. because he didn’t expect them to sue.”

De Freitas, maybe for the first time, revealed that Lynch, who was a long-time friend of the Prime Minister, had appealed to the Prime Minister for leniency, “but they didn’t budge.”

Many persons also called into last Wednesday New Times programme to pay their respects.

One caller described Lynch as a grateful person. “‘EG’ was a man who acknowledged help, and was grateful to those who helped him,” said the caller.

It is unclear how many children Elwardo ‘EG’ Lynch fathered, but it is known that one of his daughters is Shafia LondonWilliams, Regional Commercial Manager at St. Vincent Brewery Ltd. Lynch is also the brother of Calpsonian/Soca artiste, Godwin ‘Gao’ Billy.

Information with respect to date of burial was not forthcoming up to press time.

Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;

Elwardo ‘EG’ Lynch took talk radio to another level and dangerous extremes.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.